Dayton OH vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Toledo
1.4%
Toledo +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 3.4% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 38.0% | 28.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.4% | Toledo + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Toledo
$47,532
Toledo +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Toledo
$27,407
Toledo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Toledo
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $47,532 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $27,407 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Toledo
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Toledo
1866
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Toledo
20.6%
Toledo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Toledo
19.9%
Toledo +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.6% | Toledo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.3% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 19.9% | Toledo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Toledo leads in median household income at $47,532, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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