Dayton OH vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.9 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 51.3% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 38.0% | 20.9% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 2.8% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Warren
7.4%
Warren +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.4% | Warren + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 20.4% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Warren
$200,632
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $200,632 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Warren
18.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.1% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.0% | Warren + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dayton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, 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 471 in Warren. Warren has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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