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City Report · KY

Dayton

Pop. 5,743·5th most expensive in Kentucky·Dayton rents are up 19.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,037/mo
Year-over-Year
+19.5%
Month-over-Month
+9.0%
vs US Median
+$75
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dayton · $2,037
More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,037/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$81,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,190/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,037 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,444/yr
At $2,037/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 19.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+19.5% YoY, +9.0% 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 $2,037/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Dayton is $2,037/mo as of August 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 19.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dayton an affordable city for renters?

Dayton is considered moderate for renters. At $2,037/mo, rent takes approximately 37% 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 $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,037/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 19.5% over the past year as of August 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 36 tracked cities at $2,037/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dayton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dayton ($2,037/mo): Fort Thomas ($1,386/mo), Cincinnati ($1,445/mo), Southgate ($1,447/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 $2,037/mo is $75 (4%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #5 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,037/mo, rent takes ~37% of Dayton's median household income ($65,992/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dayton 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Dayton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dayton, KY

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