Dayton OH vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 51.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 38.0% | 5.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $324,946 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 69.8°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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