Dayton OH vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 51.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 38.0% | 7.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $468,328 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 41.6% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 71.3°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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