Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dayton, OH
VS
Detroit, MI
🏆 Dayton leads 12 of 23 categories
Dayton
Ohio
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,443 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
352⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
137,305
Detroit
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dayton, OH
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.7 pts lower (10.0%)
25% less violent crime than Detroit
Rent averages $159/mo less ($830 vs $989)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Households earn $3,682 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.3)
Cons
Violent crime (1339.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4334.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $20k less ($66,700 vs $86,200)
Cons
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 10.0%)
Median income trails Dayton by $3,682/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Dayton
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.3 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Dayton
Median Income
$3,682
$41,443 vs $37,761/yr
Dayton
Violent Crime
25% lower
1339.2 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Dayton
Unemployment
4.7 pp lower
10.0% vs 14.7% unemployment
Detroit
Median Home Value
$20k less
$66,700 vs $86,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.3 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $86,200 | $66,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $830 ✓ Lower | $989 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,443 ✓ Higher | $37,761 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 14.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 294⚠ High ✓ Safer | 363⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 352⚠ High ✓ Safer | 469⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 206⚠ High | 205⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | C (79) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 16.9% |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dayton City | Detroit Public Schools Community District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.3°F ✓ Warmer | 33.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.7°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.6" | 34.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 12.3" ✓ Less | 30.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,305 | 636,787 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.4% | 48.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.9% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dayton's cost of living index is 92.3 vs Detroit's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Dayton is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dayton leads 12 of 23 categories. Dayton wins 12 and Detroit wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Dayton to Detroit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($86,200 vs $66,700 median home), income ($41,443 vs $37,761), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dayton, OH and Detroit, MI are about 188 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.