Dayton, OH Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Dayton, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Dayton →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Dayton counts roughly 137,305 residents, and the median household brings in $41,443 annually — -43% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here below the pack.
In Dayton, the median home is valued at $86,200 — below the median across the cities we track (-74%) — and typical rent runs $830 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
Buying a typical home in Dayton would take about 2.1 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Dayton's home prices climbed 5.66% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Dayton is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $830/mo in Dayton would take 24.0% of your income.
$206/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($86,200) would take 13.3% of your income toward principal & interest.
$507/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Dayton
Median home value is $86,200 and median gross rent is $830/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Montgomery rose 5.66% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,273/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Dayton's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Dayton reported a violent crime rate of 1229 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Dayton
Planning a move to Dayton? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Dayton, OH?
- Cost of living in Dayton centers on housing: median home value runs $86,200, median rent runs $830/month, and the typical household earns $41,443 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Dayton?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $830/month in Dayton, that implies an income of about $33,200 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Dayton.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Dayton?
- With a median home value of $86,200 and median rent of $830/month, renting comfortably in Dayton takes about $33,200/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $19,722/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Dayton safe?
- FBI data puts Dayton's violent crime rate at 1229 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.
See the full salary breakdown for Dayton →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Dayton's.