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Is Dayton a Good Place to Live? Dayton, Nevada: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Dayton ranks #887 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #163 of 234 towns and #9 of 20 in Nevada. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (5.2%, #38 of 234) and high household income ($102,819, #39 of 234), and trails on long commutes (30.8 min, #218 of 234) and expensive homes ($433,200, #193 of 231).
Dayton by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Dayton's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Dayton: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Dayton safe?
What is the cost of living in Dayton?
Dayton's cost of living index is 101, 1% above the US level of 100 and #742 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,521/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $458,179, 4% above the typical Nevada home ($442,027).
| Measure | Dayton | NevadaNV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 101#742 of 1,308 | 100 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $458,179#741 of 1,187 | $442,027 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,238/mo#816 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $433,200#857 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,521/mo#734 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 4.2x#631 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 17.8%#222 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Nevada is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Dayton housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Dayton is in the Fernley, NV metro.
Nevada housing market →Is Dayton safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Dayton alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Dayton crime rate or rank it on safety. Nevada as a whole records 379 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Dayton?
The median household in Dayton earns $102,819, 24% above the US figure of $83,163 and 27% above Nevada ($81,134). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dayton | NevadaNV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $102,819#303 of 1,312 | $81,134 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 5.2%#112 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Nevada is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Dayton?
The median resident of Dayton is 44.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 20.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1165 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 79.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Dayton | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 44.1 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 20.1%#1165 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 79.9% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Dayton's schools and health?
Dayton's 5 public schools graduate 87% of students in four years (Nevada 81.7%), with 19.9 students per teacher and $11,944 spent per pupil. 32.9% of adults are obese and 11.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Dayton | NevadaNV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 87%#576 of 1,063 | 81.7% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 19.9#937 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $11,944#967 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 32.9%#604 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 11.2%#659 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 16.6%#541 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 10.1%#669 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Nevada is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 2,427 students are enrolled in Dayton's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Dayton?
The average commute in Dayton is 30.8 minutes (Nevada 25.7); 0% of workers take transit and 11.7% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Dayton scores 5.6 of 20 (least walkable), #1300 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 69.1°F and winters 34.4°F, with 11.7 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Dayton | NevadaNV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 30.8 min#1154 of 1,312 | 25.7 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 8.9%#987 of 1,312 | 5.9% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 77.2% | 70% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 2.5% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 0% | 1.8% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.3% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 5.6#1300 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Nevada is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40.9 | 27 | 1.8 |
| Feb | 43.1 | 28.6 | 2.1 |
| Mar | 49 | 32.9 | 1.6 |
| Apr | 54.6 | 35.7 | 0.5 |
| May | 63.9 | 44 | 0.7 |
| Jun | 74.3 | 52.8 | 0.6 |
| Jul | 83.8 | 61.5 | 0.2 |
| Aug | 82.4 | 60.1 | 0.2 |
| Sep | 73.9 | 53.1 | 0.3 |
| Oct | 61.3 | 42.5 | 0.7 |
| Nov | 48.8 | 32.7 | 1.1 |
| Dec | 40.3 | 26.4 | 2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Virginia City.
| Measure | Dayton | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 50.6°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 69.1°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 34.4°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 11.7 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Virginia City.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Dayton?
Lyon County's air had a median air quality index of 41, and 90% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Lyon County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.24% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
| Measure | Dayton | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 41#404 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.24%#1045 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Lyon County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Lyon County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.059% | 96% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.071% | 95% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.087% | 57% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Dayton compare with similar-size cities?
Dayton is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #163 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 15,781.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, NVPop. 15,781 | #887 | 52.0 | $102,819 | $1,521/mo | no data | 30.8 min |
| Schofield Barracks, HIPop. 16,270 | #869 | 52.2 | $80,388 | $3,230/mo | no data | 10.6 min |
| Chubbuck, IDPop. 16,126 | #628 | 56.3 | $82,977 | $1,048/mo | 280 | 17.1 min |
| Jamestown, NDPop. 15,787 | #813 | 53.2 | $56,554 | $773/mo | 133 | 10.9 min |
| Rutland, VTPop. 15,712 | #514 | 57.9 | $57,675 | $995/mo | 464 | 16 min |
| Mitchell, SDPop. 15,649 | #832 | 52.8 | $58,620 | $851/mo | 288 | 12.8 min |
| Clarksburg, WVPop. 15,549 | #1170 | 46.1 | $47,386 | $790/mo | 278 | 20.9 min |
| Glasgow, DEPop. 15,546 | #476 | 58.5 | $113,982 | $2,039/mo | no data | 29.1 min |
| Deming, NMPop. 15,221 | #1299 | 36.7 | $34,165 | $586/mo | part year | 17.4 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Dayton compare with the rest of Nevada?
Dayton ranks #9 of the 20 Nevada cities we track, with a score of 52 against Nevada's statewide 45.8. Its households earn 27% above the Nevada median. Homes are 4% above the typical Nevada home.
| City | Rank in NV | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summerlin South, NVPop. 31,354 | #1 | 61.3 | $117,035 | $2,509/mo | no data |
| Spanish Springs, NVPop. 17,980 | #2 | 59.3 | $127,658 | $1,963/mo | no data |
| Enterprise, NVPop. 240,464 | #3 | 56.4 | $98,462 | $1,934/mo | no data |
| Henderson, NVPop. 332,141 | #4 | 55.3 | $90,138 | $1,824/mo | 225 |
| Carson City, NVPop. 58,384 | #5 | 55.3 | $72,355 | $1,248/mo | 358 |
| Sparks, NVPop. 110,024 | #6 | 54.3 | $89,056 | $1,716/mo | 365 |
| Mesquite, NVPop. 22,059 | #7 | 54.3 | $75,227 | $1,181/mo | 119 |
| Reno, NVPop. 273,212 | #8 | 52.2 | $80,760 | $1,556/mo | 551 |
| Dayton, NVPop. 15,781 | #9 | 52.0 | $102,819 | $1,521/mo | no data |
| Spring Valley, NVPop. 219,187 | #10 | 50.7 | $74,511 | $1,743/mo | no data |
| Fernley, NVPop. 24,225 | #11 | 50.6 | $89,517 | $1,570/mo | no data |
| North Las Vegas, NVPop. 278,595 | #12 | 49.1 | $79,542 | $1,705/mo | 362 |
| Elko, NVPop. 20,696 | #13 | 48.8 | $79,036 | $1,267/mo | 378 |
| Las Vegas, NVPop. 660,400 | #14 | 47.2 | $73,877 | $1,563/mo | county/metro |
| Paradise, NVPop. 185,913 | #15 | 44.7 | $59,190 | $1,372/mo | no data |
| Sun Valley, NVPop. 22,228 | #16 | 44.5 | $77,446 | $1,214/mo | no data |
| Whitney, NVPop. 47,221 | #17 | 43.9 | $67,155 | $1,574/mo | no data |
| Sunrise Manor, NVPop. 200,218 | #18 | 40.0 | $58,421 | $1,397/mo | no data |
| Winchester, NVPop. 37,081 | #19 | 39.0 | $50,120 | $1,220/mo | no data |
| Pahrump, NVPop. 47,347 | #20 | 38.9 | $62,109 | $1,304/mo | no data |
All 20 Nevada cities we track, by overall score. Nevada statewide: median income $81,134, violent crime 379.2 per 100,000.
How is Dayton's score calculated?
Dayton scores 52 out of 100, #887 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Nevada's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Dayton. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
59.0 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Dayton. Similar-size median 56.5.
57.2 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Dayton's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
44.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Dayton's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
60.4 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Dayton. Similar-size median 50.8.
75.4 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Dayton. Similar-size median 48.3.
37.2 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Dayton's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
24.2 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
37.9 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Dayton alone.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Dayton.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Dayton's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Dayton has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Dayton
Is Dayton, NV a good place to live?
Dayton ranks #887 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #163 of 234 towns and #9 of 20 in Nevada. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (5.2%, #38 of 234) and high household income ($102,819, #39 of 234), and trails on long commutes (30.8 min, #218 of 234) and expensive homes ($433,200, #193 of 231).
What is the cost of living in Dayton?
Dayton's cost of living index is 101, 1% above the US level of 100 and #742 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,521/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $458,179, 4% above the typical Nevada home ($442,027).
Is Dayton safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Dayton alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Dayton crime rate or rank it on safety. Nevada as a whole records 379 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Dayton?
The median household in Dayton earns $102,819, 24% above the US figure of $83,163 and 27% above Nevada ($81,134). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Dayton?
Median rent in Dayton is $1,521/mo (Census), #734 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,238/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 17.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Dayton?
The typical home value in Dayton is $458,179, up 1.9% in a year, against $442,027 for Nevada and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $433,200.
How are the public schools in Dayton?
Dayton's 5 public schools graduate 87% of students in four years (Nevada 81.7%), with 19.9 students per teacher and $11,944 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Dayton?
The average commute is 30.8 minutes, #1154 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.7 minutes across Nevada. 8.9% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Dayton?
Dayton averages 50.6°F over the year, 69.1°F in summer and 34.4°F in winter, with 11.7 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Dayton walkable?
Dayton scores 5.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (least walkable), #1300 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Dayton at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Lyon County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.24% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Dayton?
Lyon County's air had a median air quality index of 41, and 90% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Dayton?
Dayton has 15,781 residents. The median resident of Dayton is 44.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 20.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1165 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 79.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Dayton compare with the rest of Nevada?
Dayton ranks #9 of the 20 Nevada cities we track, with a score of 52 against Nevada's statewide 45.8. Its households earn 27% above the Nevada median. Homes are 4% above the typical Nevada home.
What cities are similar in size to Dayton?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Dayton's population of 15,781 are Schofield Barracks, HI (#869 overall), Chubbuck, ID (#628 overall), Jamestown, ND (#813 overall), Rutland, VT (#514 overall), and Mitchell, SD (#832 overall). Dayton is #887.