How much does it cost to rent in Dayton, OH?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Dayton, OH is $1,207. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Dayton cheaper than other Ohio cities?

Dayton is among the more affordable cities in Ohio, ranking #100 out of 128 cities at $1,207/mo.

When was Dayton rent data last updated?

Dayton rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · OH

Dayton

Name: Average Rent Prices in Dayton, OH
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 136,579·100th most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,207/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.6%

Month-over-Month

-0.7%

vs US Median

-$758

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Dayton · $1,207

More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Dayton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,207/mo

Expected by trend

$1,261/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Dayton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$747

1 BR

$807

2 BR

$1,031

3 BR

$1,330

4 BR+

$1,470

Research median

$1,031/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$14,484/yr

At $1,207/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Dayton, OH is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

136,579

Median income

$45,247

Median age

34.1

Renters

51.6%

Age distribution

21.3%

29.8%

22.3%

12.4%

14.1%

Under 1821.3%

18–3429.8%

35–5422.3%

55–6412.4%

65+14.1%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

51%

37.8%

White51%

Black37.8%

Hispanic5.7%

Asian1.4%

Other4.1%

Education (25+)

32%

34.6%

21.6%

No HS diploma11.8%

HS diploma32%

Some college34.6%

Bachelor's+21.6%

Housing tenure

48.4%

51.6%

Owner48.4%

Renter51.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Dayton, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent

$883 → $1,207

up 36.7%

Income

$37,536 → $45,247

up 20.5%

Population

138,416 → 136,579

down 1.3%

Renter share

52.6% → 51.6%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

18.7% → 21.6%

+2.9 pts

Median age

33.5 → 34.1

+0.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Dayton, OH has climbed from $883 to $1,207, a 36.7% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $37,536 in 2021 to $45,247 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.3% since 2021, moving from about 138,416 residents to roughly 136,579. College-educated residents now make up 21.6% of adults here, versus 18.7% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Dayton, OH market of 2021.

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 $1,207/mo, how Dayton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 16.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 23% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 19.9% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 11.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 8.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

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, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dayton is $1,207/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $747/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,031/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $807/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,330/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($45,247/yr), Dayton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dayton an affordable city for renters?

Dayton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,207/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($45,247/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 $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,207/mo in Dayton. The local median household income is $45,247/yr, meaning the typical Dayton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dayton?

Rent in Dayton has increased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Dayton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Dayton are 45403 ($1,015/mo), 45405 ($1,025/mo), and 45406 ($1,034/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Dayton is $1,207/mo.

How does Dayton rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Dayton is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #100 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,207/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dayton?

Shiloh is nearby and more affordable at $1,130/mo, which is $77 less than Dayton.

What percentage of Dayton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.6% of Dayton households are renters, while 48.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Dayton has a strong rental market.