salaryRent is higher than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $73,920 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Kentucky. It is number 85 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Dayton?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dayton
| Size | Dayton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $651 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,282 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,258 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,568 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dayton overall?
Everyday prices in Kentucky overall are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Dayton, so the Kentucky figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Dayton
Life in Dayton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dayton?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $714 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $163,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,350 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dayton, KY?
Renting in Dayton costs a median of about $1,848 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Dayton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $73,920 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dayton cheap or expensive?
Dayton is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.2% of the typical household income of $71,172. It ranks 85th cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dayton?
The median homeowner in Dayton pays $2,137 a year in property taxes, about 1.31% of the median home value.
Is Dayton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Kentucky are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Dayton?
The median home value in Dayton is $163,500, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
5,743 people live in Dayton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.