salaryRent is lower than in 80% 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 $45,600 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Ohio. It is number 98 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Dayton?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dayton
| Size | Dayton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $725 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $783 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,027 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,238 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,295 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dayton overall?
Everyday prices in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Dayton
Life in Dayton
What jobs pay in Dayton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $138,400 | 9.9% |
| Pharmacist | $136,110 | 10.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,210 | 11.6% |
| Software Developer | $106,910 | 12.8% |
| Lawyer | $104,170 | 13.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,360 | 13.6% |
| Operations Manager | $98,030 | 14.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,270 | 14.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,500 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,510 | 16.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $80,360 | 17.0% |
| Accountant | $79,030 | 17.3% |
| Police Officer | $76,310 | 17.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,100 | 21.3% |
| Plumber | $62,940 | 21.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,500 | 21.9% |
| Electrician | $61,870 | 22.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,770 | 22.1% |
| Truck Driver | $59,490 | 23.0% |
| Carpenter | $58,330 | 23.5% |
| Firefighter | $57,400 | 23.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,970 | 30.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,610 | 31.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,670 | 32.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,280 | 34.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,600 | 37.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,700 | 38.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,360 | 45.1% |
| Cashier | $28,750 | 47.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dayton?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $442 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $100,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $10,060 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dayton, OH?
Renting in Dayton costs a median of about $1,140 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.
How much do I need to make to live in Dayton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,600 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dayton cheap or expensive?
Dayton is rated OK: rent takes 28.0% of the typical household income of $48,799. It ranks 98th cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dayton?
The median homeowner in Dayton pays $1,673 a year in property taxes, about 1.66% of the median home value.
Is Dayton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% 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 $100,600, about 2.1 times the typical yearly household income.
136,579 people live in Dayton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.