Dayton OH vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Dayton
51.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
St. Charles
1.4%
St. Charles +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 71,542 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.9 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.2% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 38.0% | 6.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.4% | St. Charles + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
St. Charles
$144,200
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $144,200 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, 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 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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