Dayton

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Dayton, OH

Area Guide

Big-city amenities with a dose of Midwestern charm

Historic Affordable Active Scenic Riverside Accessible

Living in Dayton combines city convenience with Midwestern hospitality. The revitalized downtown features RiverScape MetroPark along the Great Miami River, while the Oregon District preserves the city's historic character. Housing choices include preserved Victorian homes in St. Anne's Hill and South Park, as well as downtown apartments. Current average rents range from $842 for a studio to $1,492 for a three-bedroom unit, showing modest increases of 2-5% over the past year.

Five Rivers MetroParks maintains the city's extensive network of parks and trails, offering residents numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. Aviation history runs deep in Dayton, with the National Museum of the United States Air Force showcasing this legacy. The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center hosts performances by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, while the Dayton Art Institute houses notable collections. The University of Dayton and Wright State University contribute to the area's educational landscape. Major employers in healthcare and aerospace sectors provide employment opportunities. Dayton's central location, within 500 miles of many major U.S. cities, adds to its appeal.

Explore the City

A water tower stands over Downtown Dayton.

The University of Dayton is a major institution in Dayton.

An aerial view of the residential Edgewood neighborhood.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Dayton, OH is $858 for a studio, $999 for one bedroom, $1,292 for two bedrooms, and $1,517 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Dayton has increased by 3.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$999/month
660 Sq Ft
House
$1,378/month
1,195 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,403/month
1,033 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,380/month
1,163 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Dayton, OH

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Dayton, OH is 2.3% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Dayton is 14.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $855 - $1,516. You can expect to pay 0.8% less for groceries, 5.9% more for utilities, and 0.4% more for transportation.

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Transportation

47

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

47

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Normandy Elementary School

Public

Grades 2-5

419 Students

Dr John Hole Elementary School

Public

Grades 2-5

414 Students

Harman Elementary School

Public

Grades 1-6

413 Students

Beverly Gardens Elementary School

Public

Grades K-4

395 Students

Saville Elementary School

Public

Grades K-4

379 Students

Hadley E Watts Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

687 Students

Oakwood Junior High School

Public

Grades 7-8

303 Students

Stivers School for the Arts

Public

Grades 7-12

787 Students

Mad River Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

553 Students

E. J. Brown Pre-K-8 School

Public

Grades 7-8

361 Students

Oakwood High School

Public

Grades 9-12

683 Students

Stivers School for the Arts

Public

Grades 7-12

787 Students

Stebbins High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,091 Students

Northridge High School

Public

Grades 9-12

422 Students

Jefferson High School

Public

Grades 7-12

122 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark
  • The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
  • Island MetroPark
  • Deeds Point MetroPark
  • Five Rivers Metroparks Main Office

Airports

  • James M Cox Dayton International

Top Apartments in Dayton

Houses for Rent in Dayton

Property Management Companies in Dayton, OH

Living in Dayton

Restaurants

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You can find everything from fine dining, causal fare and ethnic cuisine in the Dayton area. The Pine Club, Neil’s Heritage House and the Dayton Racquet Club are known for a fine dining experience. The Racquet Club is reserved for members. BD’S Mongolian Grill is popular for the opportunity to create your own stir-fry. Osaka Japanese Steakhouse provides guests with full service Hibachi and meals prepared tableside.

The Spaghetti Warehouse is a popular tradition for anyone looking for a great Italian meal. The location even includes a railroad car for dining. Marion’s Pizza is equally well-known for excellent pizza and sandwiches. Dayton also has craft beer venues, sports bars and unique coffee shops.

Transportation

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The Dayton International Airport is just minutes away from the downtown area in Vandalia. Access to the airport is easy off of I70 and plenty of parking options are available for travelers. While the airport is classified as international, it is small enough for easy navigation to terminals.

The RTA provides extensive bus transportation throughout the Dayton area and outlying communities. Service is available seven days a week with limited service on major holidays. Extra routes and reduced fares are offered for special events.

Shopping

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You will find all the shopping opportunities you need in Dayton and the outlying communities. The downtown streets have an assortment of boutique stores and specialty shops. The 2nd Street Market features local items and vendors with homegrown produce and artisan offerings.

The Dayton Mall is actually located on Miamisburg Centerville Road, south of the city. This large indoor mall features over 150 shops and small restaurants. There are two other larger malls in the area to choose from. The Greene is located in Beavercreek and offers shoppers an outdoor mall setting with a movie theater and numerous restaurants. The Mall at Fairfield Commons is also located in Beavercreek with a large number of indoor shops, boutiques and a food court. The area surrounding this mall features many large retailers and restaurants.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.