Dayton OH vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 71,124 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.0 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 51.3% | 32.4% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $327,117 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 46.0% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1991 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 54.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 49.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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