Dayton OH vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 51.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 38.0% | 10.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $496,966 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 31.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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