Dayton, OH vs Salinas, CA
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
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 149). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 40).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 137,644 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 55 |
| Crime Level | High | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | D+29.9 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →
D
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →