Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dayton, OH
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 15 of 23 categories
Dayton
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,443
Violent Crime Index
352⚠ High
Population
137,305
Modesto
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dayton, OH
Pros
Homes cost $296k less ($86,200 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $667/mo less ($830 vs $1,497)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $31,932/yr
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
Higher unemployment (10.0% vs 7.8%)
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $31,932 more per year on average
51% less violent crime than Dayton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (7.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Dayton
Key Differences at a Glance
Dayton
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 92.3 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Dayton
Median Home Value
$296k less
$86,200 vs $381,800
Modesto
Median Income
$31,932
$73,375 vs $41,443/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
51% lower
655.7 vs 1339.2 per 100k
Modesto
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
7.8% vs 10.0% unemployment
Modesto
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 86.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.3 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $86,200 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $830 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,443 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.0%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 294⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 352⚠ High | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 206⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.6% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dayton City | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.3°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.7°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.6" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 12.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,305 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.4% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.9% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dayton's cost of living index is 92.3 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Dayton is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 15 of 23 categories. Dayton wins 8 and Modesto wins 15. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($86,200 vs $381,800 median home), income ($41,443 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dayton, OH and Modesto, CA are about 1,976 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.