Dayton OH vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 51.3% | 30.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $2,144,024 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 43.8% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.3 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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