Dayton 80 Exceptional
Dayton Livability #86 ranked city in Washington#1,643 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

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.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing 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 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • 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.

What's it like Living in Dayton?

Located in the state of Washington, Dayton is a small-sized city with a population of 2,718 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Dayton could be considered less diverse than other cities. In Dayton, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 50, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Dayton offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Dayton is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in Washington, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. 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 crime, cost of living, employment and other important metrics.

Dayton has a livability score of 80 out of 100 and is ranked #86 in Washington and #1,603 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Dayton ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Dayton ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Dayton ranks well for crime (B), cost of living (A+), education (B-), employment (B) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Dayton does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Dayton, the unemployment rate stands at 0.8%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Dayton excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Dayton. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Dayton are affordable. Median real estate prices in Dayton come in at $294,828, which is 40.1% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Dayton, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 37% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dayton

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Compare Dayton, WA Livability

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      Dayton transportation information

      Statistic Dayton Washington National
      Average one way commute18min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work62.5%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.8%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle4.0%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk12.3%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.0%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Dayton, WA 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.