Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dayton, OH
VS
Rio Rancho, NM
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories
Dayton
Ohio
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,443
Violent Crime Index
352⚠ High
Population
137,305 ✓ Larger
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0
Median Household Income
$78,978 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
104,351
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dayton, OH
Pros
Homes cost $161k less ($86,200 vs $246,700)
Rent averages $527/mo less ($830 vs $1,357)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Rio Rancho by $37,535/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 5.5%)
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
Households earn $37,535 more per year on average
76% less violent crime than Dayton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (5.5%)
More college-educated — 33.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 36°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,357/mo
Longer commutes — 28.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Dayton
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.3 vs 93.0 (100 = US avg)
Dayton
Median Home Value
$161k less
$86,200 vs $246,700
Rio Rancho
Median Income
$37,535
$78,978 vs $41,443/yr
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
76% lower
318.2 vs 1339.2 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 10.0% unemployment
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 86.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rio Rancho, NM |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.3 ✓ Cheaper | 93.0 |
| Median Home Value | $86,200 ✓ Lower | $246,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $830 ✓ Lower | $1,357⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,443 | $78,978 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.0%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 294⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 352⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 206⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.6% | 33.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dayton City | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.3°F | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.7°F | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.6" | 10.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 12.3" | 9.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,305 ✓ Larger | 104,351 |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.4% | 81.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.9% | 24.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dayton's cost of living index is 92.3 vs Rio Rancho's 93.0 (US average = 100).
Dayton is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories. Dayton wins 5 and Rio Rancho wins 18. 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 Rio Rancho or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($86,200 vs $246,700 median home), income ($41,443 vs $78,978), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dayton, OH and Rio Rancho, NM are about 1,268 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.