Dayton OH vs Springfield MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 51.3% | 40.8% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 20.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Springfield
25.3%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $27,054 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 25.3% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 19.7% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $298,985 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 21.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.6 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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