Once an industrial powerhouse in southwest Ohio, Dayton is gradually changing from a strictly blue-collar city to a light blue-collar/white-collar city with education, tech, and urban development opportunities. Quite a few brick foundries and factories remain scattered throughout the Dayton metro area, waiting to be demolished and replaced by business parks or apartment buildings. Although Dayton continues to struggle financially, it continually focuses on realizing progressive ideas and providing more housing options. If you plan to rent an apartment in Dayton, I would say it is a decent place for anyone looking to change careers or make a new start.
Hi, I'm Kim, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Dayton, OH. As a one-time resident of Dayton, I know how important it is to find an apartment and a neighborhood that fits your budget without sacrificing your lifestyle. After years of exploring this city, I've compiled my ranking of the top most affordable Dayton neighborhoods offering decent apartments at rental prices well below the national average. Also, while renovations continue in the most neglected Dayton neighborhoods, some areas have yet to benefit from restorative projects.
Miami Chapel
Miami Chapel sits on Dayton’s west side, south of Rt. 35 between the Great Miami River and blocks of industrial land. Older houses line the streets, some well-kept, others worn down, with empty lots scattered between them. There aren't many businesses here, mostly convenience stores and auto service shops along West Third Street. No grocery stores or big retailers operate within the Miami Chapel neighborhood, so you'll have to go elsewhere to stock up on food or buy commodities. The roads need to be repaved, but after you live there for a few weeks, you remember where to dodge the potholes.
Industrial facilities nearby—some active, some long abandoned—offer employment opportunities. Dayton's public transportation system consists mainly of RTA buses with designated stops along the main roads toward downtown. Miami Chapel isn’t booming, but it isn’t something to overlook when hunting for a place to live. You can find cheap apartments for rent in Miami Chapel that are decent and near downtown Dayton.
Wolf Creek
The Wolf Creek neighborhood in northwest Dayton gets its name from the Wolf Creek waterway that runs through it. Here, you'll find a mix of older, two-story and ranch-style homes, with the occasional abandoned house and empty lot breaking up blocks of houses. Unfortunately, vacancy has taken its toll in Wolf Creek, and empty lots remain where buildings have been demolished. Businesses cluster along two of Dayton's busiest streets, North Gettysburg and Salem Avenue, mostly small restaurants, auto shops, and convenience stores. Full-scale grocery stores and retail centers are missing, so you'll have to leave the neighborhood for necessities.
Some industrial buildings still stand along the railway lines at the edges, left over from Dayton's glory days as a factory town. The roads could use some TLC, and sidewalks are hit-or-miss in some areas. However, the RTA buses still run along the main streets, connecting Wolf Creek to the rest of Dayton. This neighborhood is a little rough around the edges, but if you are looking for cheap apartments in Wolf Creek, you'll definitely find them here.
Midtown Dayton
Midtown Dayton, or just Midtown, lies between the University of Dayton and the downtown area, next to Miami Valley Hospital and the South Park neighborhood. It's packed with brick row houses, converted apartments, and cute single-family homes. Some blocks have seen renovations and rising property values, while others show signs of the same neglect you see in Miami Chapel and Wolf Creek. Traffic is usually heavy near Wayne Avenue and East Third Street, where restaurants, coffee shops, and antique stores attract Gem City residents for lunch and weekend shopping. I have several acquaintances living in Midtown, and they work at Miami Valley Hospital, a top-notch hospital in Ohio.
You'll likely find a cheap apartment in Midtown in some repurposed industrial building offering studio and loft apartments. Having a car isn't necessary here since you can catch an RTA bus at one of several stops in Midtown. The Great Miami River runs along the western edge of Midtown when you want to escape urban life and walk a trail or go boating on weekends.
Five Points
Five Points sits on Dayton’s west side, north of Rt. 35 and less than a mile from the Great Miami River. Older houses cluster around Five Points that clearly show their age--sagging porches, broken concrete steps, deteriorating roofs. Some homes are owned, while others are rental properties. It's a close-knit neighborhood, though. You often see neighbors talking on the sidewalks, porch gatherings, and kids playing outside.
While cheap apartments for rent in Five Points are always available, this affordability does come with trade-offs. Shopping options are limited, but you can depend on the 2nd Street Market for baked goods, fresh produce, and some arts and crafts items.
Carillon
With the Great Miami River nearby and less traffic clogging the streets than other Dayton neighborhoods, Carillon is a nice place to live whether you rent an apartment or a condo or buy one of its many brick Cape Cod homes. The Great Miami River Recreational Trail cuts through the neighborhood, a perfect place for a morning bike ride or an evening walk. Welcome Park offers a place to relax and enjoy a picnic with friends in the southwest corner of Carillon. Downtown Dayton is minutes away, with major roads and RTA buses making commuting less of a hassle.
Although the neighborhood has a steady influx of new residents mixed with longtime homeowners, there's been a problem with crime in particular areas of Carillon, especially near South Edwin C. Moses Boulevard. Some streets feel safer than others, but it’s something to be aware of before renting a cheap apartment in Carillon.
University Row
University Row is famous in Dayton for its attractive Colonial and Tudor homes built during the 1920s. The streets here deviate from the typical city grid of straight roads. Instead, University Row streets twist and turn like those in London or other big European cities. Most homes here are well-kept, and it’s clear that residents take pride in their properties.
One of the biggest perks of living in University Row is how easy it is to get around. Downtown Dayton is just a short drive (or bus ride) away, and the main roads are close enough to be convenient without causing traffic congestion. Princeton Park and the Northwest Recreation Center offer plenty of green spaces when you're tired of the urban scenery. University Row is primarily residential, but shops and restaurants aren’t far away. Despite the name, University Row isn’t tied to the University of Dayton, and no one that I've asked seems to know where the name actually came from.
You won't have a problem renting a cheap apartment in Carillon, but you might have to settle for one in an older building with occasional maintenance issues. Less affordable apartments can be found in company-owned complexes and condos.
Cornell Heights
Philadelphia Drive, Cornell Drive, and the Mad River Creek provide the boundaries for Cornell Heights, a neighborhood about three miles northwest of downtown Dayton. It's considered one of the Gem City's more affordable areas to rent an apartment or buy a home. Like so many other Dayton neighborhoods, Cornell Heights is a blend of not-too-old and older homes, with a scattering of abandoned houses and buildings interrupting a few blocks.
Wesleyan MetroPark is the neighborhood's focus, stretching along Wolf Creek with over a mile of trails. Families fish, kids roam, and Adventure Central runs year-round programs that keep kids interested in the outdoors. A short drive away, the Dayton Northwest Recreation Center has an indoor pool and activities for children, adults, and seniors. So, if you're looking for a cheap apartment to rent in Cornell Heights, you'll likely find one that makes your budget jump for joy.
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I've always thought Dayton, Ohio, is the kind of Midwest city that isn’t trying to impress anyone. The city’s industrial backbone and tough spirit keep its residents fiercely devoted, even as infrastructure projects struggle to meet the demands of neglected neighborhoods. Give Dayton, OH a chance, and you won't be disappointed.
