At $2,015/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,015 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Dayton changed +5.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Kentucky cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($65,992) is $1,650 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,580); a 4-bedroom is $1,740.
Bellevue, 1 mile away, rents for 28% less ($1,445/mo), about $6,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Dayton. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Dayton, KY is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Dayton, KY has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $55,130 to $65,992 across the same window, up 19.7% versus 2021. Census counts show Dayton, KY adding about 102 residents over the five-year window, up 1.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 37.6% to 42.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29.8% to 22.9% across the same window.
Discussions about Dayton
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Dayton on your salary?
At $2,015/mo, how Dayton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Dayton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Dayton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Dayton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Dayton is $2,015/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,190/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.
At 37% of local median household income ($65,992/yr), Dayton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Dayton?
Is rent going up or down in Dayton?
How does Dayton rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dayton?
At $2,015/mo, rent takes ~37% of Dayton's median household income ($65,992/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Dayton.
No discussions yet.