Dayton, OH vs Portage, 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
Portage
73.7
#692 nationally
Dayton leads in walk score (40 vs 20). Portage leads in median household income ($74,837 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 97).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Portage, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 73.7 (#692) |
| Population | 137,644 | 49,302 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $304,854 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $74,837 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 19.7 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 20 |
| Crime Level | High | 7.6 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | D+17.7 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →
C
73.7 Score
Portage, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$304,854
Population
49,302
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
20
Midwest
View Portage, MI →