Dayton, OH vs Ridgecrest, 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
Ridgecrest
76.1
#381 nationally
Ridgecrest leads in median household income ($85,872 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 112). Ridgecrest leads in average commute (16 min vs 21.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Ridgecrest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 76.1 (#381) |
| Population | 137,644 | 28,088 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $269,599 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $85,872 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 16 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 37 |
| Crime Level | High | 18.5 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | R+21.1 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →
C
76.1 Score
Ridgecrest, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$269,599
Population
28,088
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Ridgecrest, CA →