Dayton 65 Good
Dayton Livability #143 ranked city in Tennessee#12,896 ranked city in the USARanks better than 55% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dayton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Health & Safety 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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment 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.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings 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.

What's it like Living in Dayton?

Dayton is a smaller city located in the state of Tennessee. The city has a population of 7,510 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Dayton is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. With an average age of 31 years old, Dayton could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 48% of the Dayton population is married. 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 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Dayton can be a great experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Tennessee, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Dayton and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Tennessee and national averages.

The livability score in Dayton is 66 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 64th 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: crime (B-) and housing (B-). The bad news for Dayton, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Dayton market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 $174,697, which is 33.4% lower than the Tennessee 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 3.4, which is 8.1% lower than the Tennessee average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dayton

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Compare Dayton, TN Livability

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      Dayton transportation information

      Statistic Dayton Tennessee National
      Average one way commute17min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.6%83.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.5%9.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%1.4%2.8%
      Working from home1.9%3.9%4.6%
      Source: The Dayton, TN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.