Canton, OH vs Dayton, OH
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Dayton, OH and Canton, OH spend within 4.7% of each other per resident — $16,978 versus $16,223 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Dayton, OH holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 57/100 (grade C) against 38/100 (grade D) for Canton, OH — a 19-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Dayton, OH carries the lighter load at $16 per resident versus $701 for Canton, OH. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Canton, OH at $698 per resident and in Dayton, OH at $855.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 117% of total revenue in Canton, OH and 52% in Dayton, OH.
Summary
Dayton spends 4.4% more per capita than Canton ($755/person difference). Dayton, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 57/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $30 |
| Sales Tax | $87 | $210 |
| Income Tax | $1,203 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,768 | $2,236 |
| Charges & Fees | $3,063 | $3,744 |
| Other | $4,716 | $5,977 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $698 | $855 |
| Education | $106 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $433 | $2,147 |
| Hospitals | $485 | $677 |
| Parks & Recreation | $471 | $232 |
| Housing | $3,093 | $4,133 |
| Sewerage | $425 | $0 |
| Utilities | $2,516 | $2,873 |
| Other | $7,997 | $6,059 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.