Town in Liberty County, part of the Houston metro
Living in Dayton, TX
737th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 1 of 100
123rd of 125 in the Houston area
Dayton gets an overall grade of F and ranks 737th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and home ownership, and trails on getting around and health.
- Fast-growing
- Jobs and income scores low (18 of 100)
- Schools scores low (13 of 100)
- Population
- 10,226+21.8% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,04526% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $227,60020% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $59,691Median
- Average commute
- 32 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 257Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Dayton
Dayton sits about 33 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 10,226 people lived here in 2025, up 21.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2000).
Local spots people know include Dayton City Park, W.R Parker Park and Henderson Day Park.
The median age is 31.4, 38% of households have children, 66% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $59,691 a year (24% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Dayton
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,045, 26% lower than the Texas median.
- Growing fast. The population grew 22% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Dayton
- Weaker school ratings. Only 17% of the 6 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher poverty. 21% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 32 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires as very high here.
Who Dayton suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 17% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 34% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 24% lower than the Texas median, with 47 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 18% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 34% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 3% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,045 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,045 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 9% for people on a budget.
Dayton report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Dayton with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade D
Median rent $1,045, homes cost 3.8x income.
23 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $59,691, 7.1% unemployed.
18 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D-
6 rated campuses, 17% rated A or B.
13 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade D
257 violent crimes per 100k, 1,494 property crimes per 100k.
24 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade D+
1 grocery store, 47 restaurants, 4 parks mapped in town.
27 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 32 min, 9.7% work from home.
4 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
18% have a bachelor’s degree.
21 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D-
18% of adults uninsured.
10 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C-
66% of homes owner-occupied.
32 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade B-
92% of homes have broadband.
63 of 100 vs US towns
Where Dayton stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $1,04526% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 66%3 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 18%2 points lower than Texas (20%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18%16 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 63%11 points higher than Texas (52%)
- Median household income: $59,69124% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Dayton
Dayton renters pay a median of $1,045 a month, 26% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $42,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 63% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $227,600, 20% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,246 before tax, or $1,510 with property tax. That is $465 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.
Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Dayton pays $3,167 a year, 25% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent26% lower than Texas | $1,045 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value20% lower than Texas | $227,600 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income5% higher than Texas | 3.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent11 points higher than Texas | 63% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year25% lower than Texas | $3,167 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them3 points higher than Texas | 66% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 2000 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,246
- Property tax
- $264
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,045
Based on a $227,600 home in Dayton, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Dayton safe?
In 2025, Dayton Police Department reported 26 violent crimes and 151 property crimes. That works out to 257 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 34% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,494 property crimes per 100,000, 28% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 13% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Dayton Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Dayton
Dayton has 6 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 17% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Dayton ISD.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- BDayton High SchoolHigh, Dayton ISD83 of 100
- CRichter ElementaryElementary, Dayton ISD74 of 100
- CAustin ElementaryElementary, Dayton ISD73 of 100
- CColbert ElementaryOther, Dayton ISD73 of 100
- DWilson Junior HighMiddle, Dayton ISD69 of 100
Daily life in Dayton
Everyday places mapped inside Dayton, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Dayton City Park, W.R Parker Park, Henderson Day Park.
The average one-way commute is 32 minutes, 21% longer than the Texas average. 10% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Houston is about 33 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Dayton work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $59,691, income per person is $33,296, unemployment is 7.1% and 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income24% lower than Texas | $59,691 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person18% lower than Texas | $33,296 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas | 7.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line7 points higher than Texas | 21% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher16 points lower than Texas | 18% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points lower than Texas | 83% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points lower than Texas | 18% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet1 points higher than Texas | 92% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute21% higher than Texas | 32 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas | 9.7% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Dayton
Median age 31.4 years. 38% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Dayton
Dayton has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 41°F. There are about 101 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 63 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Liberty, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is moderate. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- Coastal floodingVery low
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesVery high
- HailModerate
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsModerate
- Strong windModerate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Dayton
Nearby, Liberty gets an F, Ames gets an F and Old River-Winfree gets a B-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- FLibertyTown, 8,650 people6 mi
- FAmesTown, 1,142 people10 mi
- B-Old River-WinfreeTown, 2,448 people10 mi
- B+Mont BelvieuTown, 9,020 people11 mi
- D-CrosbyTown, 4,617 people11 mi
- DBarrettTown, 3,273 people14 mi
Dayton in the Houston area
How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.
- 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
- 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
- 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
- 120FCleveland8,984 people42 mito downtown
- 121FLiberty8,650 people40 mito downtown
- 122FPine Island1,321 people42 mito downtown
- 123FDayton9,058 people33 mito downtown
- 124FColdspring1,274 people58 mito downtown
- 125FAmes1,142 people43 mito downtown
Living in Dayton: common questions
Is Dayton, TX a good place to live?
Dayton gets an overall grade of F and ranks 737th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and home ownership, and trails on getting around and health.
How much does it cost to live in Dayton?
Renters in Dayton pay a median of $1,045 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $227,600, 20% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,510, including property tax.
Is Dayton safe?
In 2025, Dayton Police Department reported 257 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 34% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,494 per 100,000, 28% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Dayton?
We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Dayton. 17% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 13 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Dayton flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Dayton as low, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Dayton?
Summers in Dayton peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 41°F. Expect around 101 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 63 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Dayton?
The average one-way commute is 32 min, 21% higher than the Texas average. About 9.7% of workers work from home. It is about 33 miles from downtown Houston.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.