What are the schools like in Dayton, PA?

Dayton is served primarily by Armstrong SD. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1.

What is the median household income in Dayton?

The median household income in Dayton, PA is $53,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 17.1%.

What is the weather like in Dayton, PA?

Dayton has an average high temperature of 34.6°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 34.5 inches.

Dayton, PA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Dayton, PA affordable or expensive?

Dayton's cost of living index is 94, where 100 represents the national average. This means Dayton is 6% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $90,300 and the median rent is $583 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Dayton, PA?

Crime rate data for Dayton is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Dayton, PA a Good Place to Live?

Dayton is a small town of 584 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $53,750 and a 17.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is 6% below the national average.

Strengths: Dayton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Dayton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Dayton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 94.4

Dayton's overall cost of living index is 94.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Dayton costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.

Metric	Dayton, PA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$90,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$583	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	89.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$53,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Dayton is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Dayton is served primarily by Armstrong SD. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Dayton, PA	National Avg
School District	Armstrong SD	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Dayton sees average highs of 34.6°F in January and 82.2°F in July, with 45.7 inches of annual precipitation and 34.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Dayton, PA
Average High — January	34.6°F
Average High — July	82.2°F
Annual Precipitation	45.7"
Annual Snowfall	34.5"

Demographics

Metric	Dayton, PA	National Avg
Population	584	—
Median Age	44.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	17.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	39.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	96.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.4%	22.2%
65 and over	18.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Smicksburg, PA 4 mi Timblin, PA 6 mi Rural Valley, PA 7 mi Plumville, PA 7 mi Atwood, PA 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Dayton

Dayton, PA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

16222

Dayton vs Other Cities

Dayton, PA vs Smicksburg, PA Dayton, PA vs Timblin, PA Dayton, PA vs Rural Valley, PA Dayton, PA vs Plumville, PA Dayton, PA vs Atwood, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dayton, PA affordable or expensive?

Dayton's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average. That makes Dayton roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $90,300 and median rent is $583/month.

What is the crime rate in Dayton, PA?

Crime data for Dayton is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Dayton?

Public schools in Dayton are operated by Armstrong SD. The district has 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 12.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Dayton, PA a good place to live?

Dayton, PA has a population of 584, a median household income of $53,750, and an unemployment rate of 17.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Dayton?

Dayton averages 34.6°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.7 inches with about 34.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Dayton?

Dayton, PA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 16222.

What is the population of Dayton?

The population of Dayton, Pennsylvania is 584 with a median age of 44.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Dayton?

Key numbers for living in Dayton: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $90,300, median household income $53,750, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dayton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.