Dayton has become one of Ohio’s most popular places to live, and has been ranked as the #2 overall best city to call home in Ohio (behind Cincinnati) according to U.S. News. 

Dayton, also called “the Gem City” by the Dayton Daily News, offers an above-average school system and affordable housing options within both suburban neighborhoods and within the city. 

In fact, the median home listing price in Dayton is roughly $112,000, which is considerably lower than the national average of $400,698, according to Redfin.

A good salary will ultimately depend on your family’s needs and preferences, but on average, a single person can live comfortably for around $31,512 annually (or $15.15 per hour)—while a family of four (with 1 adult working) will need to make roughly $65,270 annually, according to MIT’s living wage calculator. Again, what is comfortable for you will depend on many factors, such as if you are looking to purchase a home or rent.

According to U.S. News, Dayton is best known as the hometown of Orville and Wilbur Wright, making the area historic for its aviation history. They’ve got many parks and museums to commemorate the achievement, including the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and the Wright Brothers National Museum. Of course, there are several other popular attractions in Dayton, including:

• The Dayton Art Institute
• The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
• The Loft Theatre and Victoria Theatre
• BEER! A Celebration of Dayton Brewing

Residents also enjoy access to live music where bands play at local bars, college basketball games (played by the Wright State Raiders and Dayton Flyers), and plenty of outdoor recreation within Dayton’s many state parks, nature reserves, and golf courses.

While a fantastic place to call home, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider before moving:

• Tough winters. Per Redfin, many find the weather to be harsh and unforgiving in the winter, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees during the winter months. 
• Humid summers. Conversely, during the summer months temperatures can get higher than 90 degrees and are compounded by high humidity levels—making the area (and the state) a risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration.

A lack of public transportation. Columbus and Cleveland are some of the only cities in Ohio that provide its residents with adequate public transportation systems. So if you’re without a vehicle, getting around Dayton could be tough.