Dayton OH vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 119,508 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 51.3% | 44.0% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 31.5% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $399,650 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 75.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 62.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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