Dayton, OH vs East Lansing, MI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Dayton
76
#394 nationally
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 21.8 min). East Lansing leads in walk score (54 vs 40). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 100).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | East Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 72.8 (#823) |
| Population | 137,644 | 48,528 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $328,740 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $44,094 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 16.1 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 54 |
| Crime Level | High | 6.0 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | D+29.7 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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