Dayton, Ohio
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Dayton.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Dayton?
For relocators asking how much Dayton costs: the housing index sits at 47 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $93,200 and rents near $866. Local median income is about $43,454 and unemployment recently ran 3.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 21 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 962.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 47U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $93,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $866U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $43,454U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 21 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 962.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 84°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Dayton compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 136,346City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $43,454Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year45% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 47ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year53% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $93,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year69% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $866City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year36% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 21 min16% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3816% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 962.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)64% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4039.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)31% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 84°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 24°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 41.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals25% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 231As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Dayton declined 4.2% from 142,348 in 2010 to 136,346 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Dayton expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Dayton's housing cost index is 47 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($93,200 vs $303,400) and rents ($866 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 47 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $93,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $866 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Dayton?
Typical ownership costs center near $93,200, while median gross rent is about $866 a month. Against a median household income of $43,454, rent alone is roughly 24% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $93,200
- Median rent $866/month
- Median household income $43,454
What is the job market like in Dayton?
County unemployment recently ran 3.7% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Dayton is about $43,454 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 3.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $43,454
How long is the typical commute in Dayton?
Average one-way commute time is about 21 minutes, with Walk Score near 38/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 21 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 38/100
Is Dayton safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 962.1 per 100k and property about 4039.8 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 962.1 per 100k
- Property 4039.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Dayton?
Normals show summer highs near 84°F, winter lows near 24°F, about 41.3 inches of rain, and roughly 231 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 84°F
- Winter low 24°F
- 41.3 in rain · 231 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Dayton?
Newcomers often start with Downtown, Oregon District, South Park — tour at commute hour before signing. Neighborhood lists are curated research starting points, not rankings.
- Downtown
- Oregon District
- South Park
Dayton, Ohio counts about 136,346 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $43,454; our housing-derived cost index is about 47 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $93,200 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Great Lakes industry towns and Midwestern seasons still set the tone. Pack for 84°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 24°F. Commutes average near 21 minutes one-way, with walkability near 38/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.7% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~962.1 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Ask locals about Downtown versus Oregon District — those two pockets illustrate how different daily life can feel inside the same city limits, with South Park as a common third option. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Dayton with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Downtown
- Oregon District
- South Park
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Dayton city, 1600000US3921000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Montgomery County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093815 DAYTON INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10