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City Report · KY

Dayton

Pop. 5,743·5th most expensive in Kentucky·Dayton rents are up 11.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,869/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.3%
vs US Median
-$96
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dayton · $1,869
More expensive than 51% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,869/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$75,000/yr
Local median income
$65,992/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Dayton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$820
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,190
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,740
Research median
$1,190/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,428/yr
At $1,869/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.4% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
5,743
Median income
$65,992
Median age
39.6
Renters
42.9%
Age distribution
20.5%
22.9%
32.3%
14.3%
Under 1820.5%
18–3422.9%
35–5432.3%
55–6410%
65+14.3%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
89.2%
White89.2%
Black1.6%
Hispanic2.8%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
40.3%
27.1%
22.9%
No HS diploma9.6%
HS diploma40.3%
Some college27.1%
Bachelor's+22.9%
Housing tenure
57.1%
42.9%
Owner57.1%
Renter42.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Dayton, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,130 → $65,992
up 19.7%
Population
5,641 → 5,743
up 1.8%
Renter share
37.6% → 42.9%
+5.3 pts
Bachelor's+
29.8% → 22.9%
-6.9 pts
Median age
37.6 → 39.6
+2.0 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Dayton

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View Dayton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Dayton on your salary?

At $1,869/mo, how Dayton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dayton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Dayton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dayton

About renting in Dayton, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dayton is $1,869/mo as of July 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 34% of local median household income ($65,992/yr), Dayton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dayton an affordable city for renters?

Dayton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,869/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($65,992/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dayton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Dayton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,869/mo in Dayton. The local median household income is $65,992/yr, meaning the typical Dayton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dayton?

Rent in Dayton has increased 11.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Dayton rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Dayton is one of the pricier cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #5 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,869/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dayton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dayton ($1,869/mo): Fort Thomas ($1,402/mo), Southgate ($1,447/mo), Cincinnati ($1,475/mo).

What percentage of Dayton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.9% of Dayton households are renters, while 57.1% are owner-occupied. Dayton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dayton rent compare to the national average?

Dayton's median rent of $1,869/mo is $96 (5%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #5 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,869/mo, rent takes ~34% of Dayton's median household income ($65,992/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dayton 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Dayton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Dayton
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dayton, KY

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