Dayton OH vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.7% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 35.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $293,664 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 39.5% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 67.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 58.1 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, 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 324 in Tallahassee. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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