Dayton OH vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.3% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 38.0% | 27.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Syracuse
$45,845
Syracuse +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Dayton +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $45,845 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 29.6% | Dayton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $215,134 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 41.3% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 41.5 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Syracuse leads in median household income at $45,845, 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 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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