Dayton, Ohio, has been recognized as one of the most affordable small cities in the United States for purchasing a home, according to a recent survey by WalletHub. The city ranked fifth among small cities with populations under 150,000 and nineteenth overall in a comparison of 300 U.S. cities of varying sizes.
Barbara Waddell, president of Dayton Realtors, expressed that Dayton’s ranking is unsurprising given the city’s lower cost of living compared to many other regions. She noted, “We’re blessed to have a lower cost of living than many other areas of the country, and during economic booms and downturns, our housing market has not experienced the wild swings of other cities.”
The survey evaluated cities based on ten metrics, including housing and maintenance affordability, cost of living, real estate taxes, median home price appreciation, and the average cost of homeowner’s insurance. Dayton’s strong performance in these areas highlights its resilience and appeal to potential homebuyers.
In Ohio, Akron, Cleveland, and Toledo ranked ahead of Dayton in terms of affordability, while Columbus and Cincinnati were further down the list. Nationally, Flint, Michigan, was deemed the most affordable small city, while Santa Barbara, California, was the least affordable. California cities dominated the bottom of the affordability rankings, occupying 19 of the 20 lowest spots.
Chip Lupo, an analyst for WalletHub, emphasized that home prices alone do not determine affordability. He stated, “You also have to consider how prices compare to incomes in the area, plus factor things like the cost of living, maintenance expenses, and taxes.” Dayton’s favorable rent-to-price ratio, where it ranked fifth, further underscores its affordability compared to renting.
Despite the overall affordability, Dayton ranked 297th out of 300 in maintenance affordability. However, the housing market remains active, with a slight 3% dip in home sales in April compared to the previous year. Waddell remains optimistic about the future, citing stable mortgage rates and realistic buyer expectations as positive indicators for the upcoming summer season.
Median home prices in Dayton surged by 9% in April 2026 compared to the previous year, with the median sales price reaching $268,000 and the average sales price at $304,565. Year-to-date figures show a 2% increase in total transactions and a 7% rise in dollar volume, reflecting the overall increase in home prices.
Original reporting: Dayton Daily News — read the source article.
