In Dayton, a typical home is worth $214,900 and typical rent is $848 a month. Compared with all of Rhea County, typical household income is 10% lower and the share of households that own their home is 26 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $207,056 to $260,543.
Typical rent
$1,200a month
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Dayton is in Rhea County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Rhea County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
46% of households in Dayton own their home, against 71% in Rhea County.
2
Dayton has the 10th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 101 cities in Tennessee with more than 5,000 people (37%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Dayton
What homes there are in Dayton, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Kind of home: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Detached house
56%
67%
68%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
28%
9%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
19%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Dayton, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Rhea County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Year built: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Before 1960
16%
13%
18%
26%
1960–1979
27%
26%
23%
24%
1980–1999
27%
30%
29%
25%
2000–2009
17%
20%
16%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
12%
15%
11%
In Dayton, half of the homes were built before 1984; in Rhea County, before 1988.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K34%
$200K–$300K42%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
34%
$200K–$300K
42%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99947%
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
47%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,499 a month
Rhea County: $1,326 a month
Without a mortgage
$418 a month
Rhea County: $365 a month
Owners with a mortgage
48%
Rhea County: 47%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Dayton is $1,499 a month, more than in Rhea County ($1,326); without one, $418.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Dayton+117%
Rhea County+68%
Tennessee+72%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Dayton+25%
Rhea County+30%
Tennessee+37%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Dayton+37%
Rhea County+30%
Tennessee+31%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Typical home value
+117%
+68%
+72%
+53%
Typical rent
+25%
+30%
+37%
+33%
Typical household income
+37%
+30%
+31%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Dayton rose 117%; in Rhea County, it rose 68%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Dayton rose 25%, less than in Rhea County (30%).
The typical household income in Dayton rose 37% over that time; home values changed +117% and rent +25%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Dayton and its comparisons
Measure
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.15
2.47
2.45
2.53
Drive alone
74%
80%
76%
69%
Carpool
15%
12%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
7%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Dayton has 2.15 people, fewer than in Rhea County (2.47).
To get to work, 74% of workers in Dayton drive alone; in Rhea County, 80%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Dayton?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Dayton, worth $214,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 41% of the typical household income in Dayton, which is $49,719 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $72,319 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Rhea County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Dayton. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,522 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,687
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$211,007
Total interest
$303,590
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,629 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,160 a month
Tight
$1,160 to $1,492 a month
Hard
more than $1,492 a month
Your payment · 41%
Compared with the typical household income in Dayton ($49,719 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,429
Property tax
$73
Home insurance
$90
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$95
You need at least $7,522 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,687; principal and interest $1,429.
The city and its county
Dayton and Rhea County
Dayton is in Rhea County, Tennessee. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Dayton
Map of Rhea County, Tennessee, with Dayton marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Dayton
Rhea County
Other cities with a page
Dayton's own numbers
Typical home value
$214,900
Typical monthly rent
$848
Typical yearly household income
$49,719
Households that own their home
46%
Effective property tax rate
0.41%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Rhea County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,059
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+75%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
5.1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Rhea County.
A typical home in Dayton is worth $214,900: 4% above the county and 25% below Tennessee. With the typical household income in Dayton ($49,719 a year), a typical home costs 4.3 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Dayton4.3 years
Rhea3.7 years
Tennessee4.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Rhea County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Rhea County rose 124% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Rhea County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Rhea County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.8% +5.8% 2016
2017: +3.5% +3.5% 2017
2018: +4.4% +4.4% 2018
2019: +8.2% +8.2% 2019
2020: +3.9% +3.9% 2020
2021: +13.2% +13.2% 2021
2022: +22.6% +22.6% 2022
2023: +12.5% +12.5% 2023
2024: +4.9% +4.9% 2024
2025: +6.6% +6.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Rhea County, Tennessee and the United States
Period
County
Tennessee
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.6%
+2.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+75%
+60%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+124%
+114%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Dayton next to Rhea County, Tennessee and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Dayton$214,900
Rhea$206,000
Tennessee$286,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Dayton$848
Rhea$839
Tennessee$1,189
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Dayton$49,719
Rhea$55,033
Tennessee$69,595
United States$80,734
See the full table
Dayton next to Rhea County and Tennessee
Measure
Dayton
Rhea County
Tennessee
U.S.
Typical home value
$214,900 ▲4% above the county
$206,000
$286,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$848
$839
$1,189
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$49,719 ▼10% below the county
$55,033
$69,595
$80,734
Households that own their home
46% ▼26 points below the county
71%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$878
$894
$1,442
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.41% ▼0.02 points below the county
0.43%
0.5%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
37% ▼4 points below the county
42%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Rhea County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Dayton
For a typical $214,900 home in Dayton, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Dayton's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,687a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,522
Cash to close
$13,969
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $95
Conventional, 5% down$1,648a month
Down payment
$10,745
Cash to close
$17,192
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $102
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,328a month
Down payment
$42,980
Cash to close
$49,427
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,526a month
Down payment
$32,235
Cash to close
$38,682
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Dayton
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,687
$7,522
$211,008
7.18%
FHA MIP · $95
$13,969
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,648
$10,745
$204,155
7.18%
PMI · $102
$17,192
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,328
$42,980
$171,920
7.18%
None
$49,427
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,526
$32,235
$182,665
8.18%
None
$38,682
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Dayton and for Rhea County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Dayton
0.41%of the home’s value each year
$878 a year for the typical owner in Dayton.
Dayton0.41%
Rhea0.43%
Tennessee0.5%
What Tennessee publishesProperty tax relief for older, disabled and disabled-veteran homeowners (Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, 2026 Property Tax Relief Program brochure)
Typical rent in Dayton is $848 a month: about the same as the county. In Dayton, 37% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Rhea County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,059 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.37 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Rhea County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$804
$15.46
$32,160
1 bedroom
$810
$15.58
$32,400
2 bedrooms
$1,059
$20.37
$42,360
3 bedrooms
$1,272
$24.46
$50,880
4 bedrooms
$1,392
$26.77
$55,680
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Dayton
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Dayton is in ZIP code 37321.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,080: $21 more than the fair market rent for Rhea County ($1,059).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Dayton, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
37321
$820
$830
$1,080
$1,300
$1,480
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
37321 $1,080$1,300
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Dayton when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Dayton. These are the largest.
Taylor Hills/Arnold Place173 Housing St, Dayton 37321302 homes, 301 low-income · Run by Dayton Housing Authority · Average payment: $398 a month · Average wait: 11 months · Homes at several sites(423) 775-1871
Hidden Valley Apartments501 Hidden Valley Rd, Dayton 3732172 low-income homes · 1 bd: 13 · 2 bd: 59 · In service since 2016 · For families
Emerald Pointe Apts134 Emerald Pointe Ln, Dayton 3732164 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2003
Cottonwood Group Home7196 Rhea County Hwy, Dayton 3732110 low-income homes · For people with disabilities(423) 744-3632
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Rhea County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Dayton or Rhea County. The ones below are statewide in Tennessee: they work in Dayton the same as in the rest of the state.
Tennessee state agency help with the down payment and closing costs alongside the Great Choice mortgage: $6,000 or $10,000 forgivable over 10 years with no payments, or up to 5% of the price (maximum $15,000) as a 30-year second mortgage.Offered by Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Dayton or Rhea County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Dayton and all of Rhea County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Dayton?
The typical home value in Dayton is $214,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Rhea County it is $206,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Dayton?
Typical rent in Dayton is $848 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Rhea County is $1,059.
What is the FHA loan limit in Dayton?
Dayton uses the FHA limit for all of Rhea County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Dayton?
The typical homeowner in Dayton pays $878 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.41% of the home’s value; in Rhea County, the rate is 0.43%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Dayton?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Rhea County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
