Dayton, OH, known as 'The Birthplace of Aviation,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Montgomery County, Dayton is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Cincinnati (54 miles) and Columbus (72 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Dayton's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Dayton is home to several iconic landmarks, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the historic Carillon Historical Park, and the scenic RiverScape MetroPark. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to the bustling 2nd Street Market, known for its shopping and dining. Dayton's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Dayton Air Show and the Dayton Celtic Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Dayton's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Dayton contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Dayton is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Dayton Art Institute and the Schuster Performing Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Dayton provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Dayton’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Dayton Dragons (Midwest League), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Dayton include aerospace, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Premier Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Located in the state of Ohio, Dayton is a medium-sized city with a population of 145,927 residents. Individuals of White (54%) and Black or African American (39%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. In Dayton, only 35% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Dayton is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Dayton, Ohio could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Dayton and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.
The livability score in Dayton is 65 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 59th percentile of all cities across America. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Dayton has higher than average rankings for the following: housing (A+). On a less positive note, Dayton does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Dayton can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Dayton meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Dayton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Dayton are simply unattainable. The median home price for Dayton homes is $128,137, which is 45.4% lower than the Ohio average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Dayton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 19.4% lower than the Ohio average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Dayton | Ohio | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.1% | 83.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.6% | 7.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 5.6% | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 7.5% | 2.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
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