Cost of living in Dayton, Ohio
Butler County, OH
Part of the Cincinnati Metro Area
Population 389,910 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Dayton
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Dayton
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Dayton
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Dayton
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Dayton
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Dayton
State and local tax rates for Ohio.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Dayton
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Dayton
What it costs to live in Dayton each month.
- Rent $993
- Energy $194
- Water $50
- Groceries $320
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $539
- State tax $39
- Rent $1,287
- Energy $233
- Water $60
- Groceries $530
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $999
- State tax $126
- Rent $1,707
- Energy $291
- Water $70
- Groceries $805
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $999
- State tax $126
Frequently asked questions about Dayton
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Dayton?
In Dayton, Ohio, a one-bedroom apartment averages $993 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,287 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,707 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Dayton?
In Dayton, Ohio, the average household income is $81,194 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,032 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Dayton?
The estimated cost of living in Dayton, Ohio is approximately $2,935 per month for a single person, $4,519 for a couple, $7,068 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Dayton?
The combined sales tax rate in Dayton, Ohio is 7.24%, which includes the Ohio state rate of 5.75% plus an average local rate of 1.49%.
Is Dayton an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Dayton, Ohio would need approximately $2,935 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $81,194 per year ($6,766 per month). Dayton is relatively affordable compared to the national average.
How much does healthcare cost in Dayton?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Dayton, Ohio is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Dayton?
The average home value in Dayton, Ohio is $243,000, with average annual property taxes of $3,010, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Dayton compare to other areas?
You can compare Dayton, Ohio with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Dayton is in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area.
Other counties in Ohio
Browse the full list of counties in Ohio, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in OhioCompare Dayton with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP