Dayton OH vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 51.3% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 38.0% | 3.1% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $510,577 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 41.6 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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