Dayton OH vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 126,103 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 51.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 38.0% | 9.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $193,522 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 54.5°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, 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 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA