One Of The Best Places For Retirees Is An Ohio Town With Shopping, Dining, And A Low Cost Of Living

Dayton, Ohio has a lot to offer retirees in terms of quality of life. That's particularly true if you enjoy a vibrant cultural scene. Those with the time can take in a ballet or contemporary dance show at the Dayton Ballet or Dance Company, unwind to an opera at Dayton Opera, enjoy the uplifting sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic, take in a show at several theaters including the Dayton Playhouse and the Human Race Theatre, or see an art exhibit at the Dayton Museum or The Contemporary. Special events like the upcoming Adult Easter Egg Hunt, oil painting workshops, and nature walks through the Aullwood Audubon will keep you engaged and energized.

According to statistics cup to 2023 from the United States Census Bureau, the median household income in Dayton is $43,454. By comparison to the U.S. median household income of $78,538 for the same period, you are looking at a difference of $35,084. However, according to GoBankingRates, the average monthly cost of living in Dayton is just $3,002 per month, or $36,028 per year, leaving the average household a lot of financial breathing room. Looking at the average Social Security benefit for workers by age, Dayton is one of a few cities in the US where a retiree could live on Social Security alone, assuming you were at least full retirement age and receiving $4,018 to the 2025 maximum of $5,108 per month. In almost every metric, including housing, cost of living, and independent living, Dayton excels.

As per February 2025 data from Zillow, the average home value in the U.S. is $357,138, and the average rent in the U.S. for this period is $1,980 per month. As of March 2025 the national median mortgage is $2,205 per month. In Dayton, the average home value is $146,370 as of February 2025, which is actually 5.8% higher than last year and shows that housing is likely a good investment. It's also less than half the national average home value, representing a housing discount of $210,768, or 59%.

Rent in Dayton is also incredibly affordable, averaging $1,184 per month, or $14,208 per year. With the average annual rent in the U.S. approaching $23,760, that's an annual savings of $9,552 per year, or $796 per month. That's an average of 40.2% saved on rent per year compared with the national average. As per the United States Census Bureau, the median cost of housing with a mortgage — this includes utilities, taxes, insurance or condo fees — is $1,097 per month, or $13,164 per year. That's less than half the national median of $2,205 per month, or $26,460 per year. So whether you rent or own a home in Dayton, you'll be able to do it at a huge discount to the rest of the country.

If you want to live in a community of likeminded retirees, according to A Place for Mom, the average actual monthly cost of admission — defined as what real clients paid with fees included — is $3,565 per month. However, a baseline average is actually closer to $3,901 per month. Several independent living communities are highly rated, with three specifically — 10 Wilmington Place, Brookdale Beavercreek, and The Wellington at Dayton — singled out as picks for the best independent living communities of 2025. Dayton ranks least expensive for independent living compared to the closest two cities, Riverside and Moraine, but is ever so slightly more expensive than the state average of $3,895. It's still better than the U.S. national average of $4,089 however. Where value is concerned, most retirees choosing independent living in Dayton feel that they're receiving value for what they spend, represented as a score of 4.3 out of a possible 5, beating the average national score of 4.1.