Investor-friendly real estate agents in Dayton, OH
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Dayton is a small, steady metro (Dayton-Kettering, about 827,000 people) that has started to grow again. Jobs in 2025 were the highest since at least 2007, about 2% above 2019, and more Americans have moved in than out for three years running, about 4,300 in 2025. Typical rent in the metro is about $1,320, up about 3% in a year. Zillow doesn't publish a home value index for the Dayton metro, so we can't give a reliable typical home value or rent-to-price figure here; ask your agent for recent sales comps. Ohio is landlord-friendly, Dayton has a pay-to-stay eviction rule, and the city doesn't yet register short-term rentals. Our vetted agent partner covers Dayton, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, owns 16 small multifamily properties himself and sells 100–150 units a year off-market.
Duplexes through fourplexes, from a partner who owns 16 small multifamily properties himself, most of them three- and four-unit buildings.
Our partner sells 100–150 units a year off-market, so investors can see deals before they're listed.
Buildings that need work, with a partner who has his own small construction team.
Is Dayton worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Dayton metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 799,820 |
| 2011 | 801,553 |
| 2012 | 802,845 |
| 2013 | 803,169 |
| 2014 | 803,327 |
| 2015 | 802,986 |
| 2016 | 805,185 |
| 2017 | 807,221 |
| 2018 | 809,468 |
| 2019 | 812,726 |
| 2020 | 814,230 |
| 2021 | 813,698 |
| 2022 | 813,396 |
| 2023 | 815,907 |
| 2024 | 820,950 |
| 2025 | 826,554 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | -1,392 |
| 2012 | -2,490 |
| 2013 | -3,566 |
| 2014 | -3,416 |
| 2015 | -3,872 |
| 2016 | -1,264 |
| 2017 | -436 |
| 2018 | +404 |
| 2019 | +1,156 |
| 2020 | -362 |
| 2021 | -8 |
| 2022 | -245 |
| 2023 | +568 |
| 2024 | +2,156 |
| 2025 | +4,272 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 360,700 |
| 2011 | 365,400 |
| 2012 | 368,700 |
| 2013 | 368,100 |
| 2014 | 372,200 |
| 2015 | 379,400 |
| 2016 | 384,200 |
| 2017 | 387,600 |
| 2018 | 389,400 |
| 2019 | 391,200 |
| 2020 | 369,400 |
| 2021 | 374,700 |
| 2022 | 384,000 |
| 2023 | 391,100 |
| 2024 | 396,500 |
| 2025 | 398,400 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $743/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $757/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $796/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $835/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $878/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $934/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $1,040/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,118/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,186/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,238/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,282/mo |
| Sep 2026 | $1,320/mo |
Data retrieved October 16, 2026. Figures cover the Dayton metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Dayton
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Dayton metro, Sep 2026. Up about 3% in a year.
Census estimate, Dayton-Kettering metro, July 2025. Up about 3% since 2010.
BLS total nonfarm, 2025 average. Highest since at least 2007, about 2% above 2019.
Zillow doesn't publish a home value index for the Dayton metro. Ask your agent for sales comps.
Ohio and City of Dayton landlord-tenant basics
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (ORC Chapters 5321 and 1923) is generally landlord-friendly. The City of Dayton adds a pay-to-stay rule, and suburbs set their own rules, so ask your agent what applies to a specific address. The points investors ask about most:
- Security deposit: no statutory cap. Return it, with an itemized written list of deductions, within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out. If the deposit is more than $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) and the tenant stays 6 months or more, the excess earns 5% annual interest (ORC 5321.16).
- Nonpayment: serve a 3-day notice to leave, with the statute's required warning language, before filing an eviction (ORC 1923.04).
- Entry: reasonable notice and reasonable times, except emergencies; 24 hours is presumed reasonable (ORC 5321.04).
- No rent control: since 2022, Ohio law bars cities and counties from rent control or rent stabilization (ORC 5321.19).
- County filing: in counties of more than 200,000 people, including Montgomery, owners must register each rental's address, parcel number and their contact information with the county auditor. Out-of-state owners must name an Ohio agent (ORC 5323.02).
- Pay to stay (City of Dayton, 2021): in a nonpayment eviction, a judge can let the tenant stay by paying the back rent, late fees and court costs. A tenant can use this defense only once per calendar year.
Short-term rental rules in Dayton
The City of Dayton says it doesn't yet have a system to register or regulate short-term rentals, and handles complaints case by case. It has said future steps may include monitoring host compliance, a registration process and new regulations, so check the city's STR page before you buy.
- No city STR registration or permit is in place today, but zoning and housing codes still apply. Suburbs such as Kettering and Oakwood set their own rules.
- The city has hired a vendor to help build a database of STR locations, the usual first step toward registration. Underwrite as if rules could tighten.
- Pending in Ohio: Senate Bill 104 would bar local STR bans and cap registration fees. As of October 2026 it hasn't passed.
- Lodging taxes and HOA rules apply separately. Ask a local CPA about taxes, and read any HOA covenants before you're under contract.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZORI) — Dayton metro; ORC 5321.16 — Security deposits; ORC 1923.04 — Notice to leave premises; ORC 5321.04 — Landlord obligations (entry); ORC 5321.19 — Rent control prohibited; ORC 5323.02 — Rental property owner filing with county auditor; Montgomery County Auditor — Rental registration; City of Dayton — City Commission passes "pay to stay" ordinance (2021); City of Dayton — Short-term rentals; City of Dayton — Working with vendor to identify short-term rental properties; Ohio SB 104 (136th General Assembly) — status.
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About 55 miles south on I-75: a bigger metro our Dayton partner also covers.
About 70 miles east on I-70: Ohio's growth market, with higher prices and a city STR permit.
Northeast Ohio: better rent-to-price but a shrinking population and stricter city rental rules.
Northeast Ohio: similar rents, flat growth and an annual city rental registry.
Questions investors ask about Dayton
Which areas does your Dayton agent cover?
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Our vetted agent partner covers Dayton, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. He owns 16 small multifamily properties himself, mostly three- and four-unit buildings, sells 100–150 units a year off-market and has a small construction team. Tell us your strategy, budget and target area and we'll match you.
Is Dayton a good market for cash-flowing rentals?
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It can be, deal by deal. Typical rent in the metro is about $1,320 and rising, jobs are above their 2019 level and more people are moving in than out. Zillow doesn't publish a home value index for Dayton, so we can't quote a metro rent-to-price ratio. Underwrite each property on its actual price, street-level rent comps and repair costs.
Can I run an Airbnb in Dayton?
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The City of Dayton doesn't currently register or permit short-term rentals, but it has said registration and regulations may come, and it's already working with a vendor to identify STRs. Suburbs and HOAs have their own rules. Underwrite as if rules could tighten.
Is Ohio landlord-friendly?
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Generally, yes. There's no cap on security deposits, nonpayment evictions start with a 3-day notice, and state law bars local rent control. In Dayton, a judge can let a tenant pay what's owed to stop a nonpayment eviction, once per calendar year. Register each rental with the Montgomery County Auditor.
Can I invest in Dayton if I live out of state?
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Yes. Ohio requires out-of-state owners to name an in-state agent on their county rental filing, and you'll want a property manager. Pick an agent who walks properties for you, attends inspections and can show you real sales and rent comps.
What does it cost to get matched with a Dayton agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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