Dayton OH vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 38.0% | 21.3% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $376,530 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 73.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 46.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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