Dayton OH vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 51.3% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 38.0% | 9.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $204,104 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, 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%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 57.0°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, 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 Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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