Rents are right about where Dayton's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,245 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: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Dayton, OH has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Dayton, OH has climbed from $883 to $1,245, a 41.0% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Dayton on your salary?
At $1,245/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Dayton is $1,245/mo as of August 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 33% of local median household income ($45,247/yr), Dayton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Which Dayton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Dayton residents rent vs. own?
How does Dayton rent compare to the national average?
At $1,245/mo, rent takes ~33% of Dayton's median household income ($45,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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