Travel Nurse Housing in Dayton, Ohio: Complete Guide

Dayton is a mid-sized Ohio city known as the birthplace of aviation and home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Travel nurses find strong hospital systems, an extremely low cost of living, and a city with more cultural attractions than its size suggests.

Dayton’s healthcare includes Kettering Health, Premier Health (Miami Valley Hospital), and the Dayton VA Medical Center.

Whether you are heading to Dayton for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Dayton has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Dayton is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

Miami Valley Hospital — A Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Kettering Medical Center — The flagship of Kettering Health with comprehensive services and a faith-based care model.

Dayton VA Medical Center — A large VA facility serving veterans in the region.

Dayton Children’s Hospital — The region’s pediatric specialty hospital.

Travel nurse demand in Dayton is generally steady, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Dayton assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Dayton.

Oregon District

Dayton’s entertainment district with restaurants, bars, and shops in a walkable setting.

Pros: Walkable, excellent dining and nightlife, close to downtown hospitals, historic character

Cons: Limited housing options in the district itself, noise from bars, parking can be tight

Oakwood

An affluent suburb south of downtown with beautiful homes and a walkable business district.

Pros: Safe, walkable, beautiful homes, close to Kettering Medical Center

Cons: Higher rents, quiet nightlife, limited furnished options

Kettering

A suburb south of Dayton near Kettering Medical Center with affordable apartments.

Pros: Affordable, close to Kettering hospital, safe, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited nightlife, some areas feel dated

Downtown Dayton

The city center near Miami Valley Hospital with growing loft apartment options.

Pros: Close to Miami Valley Hospital, loft apartments, growing dining scene, affordable

Cons: Limited nightlife, some blocks quiet at night, varying neighborhood quality

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Dayton is car-dependent. The city is compact with commutes under 15 minutes. Traffic is minimal. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Dayton through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Dayton are below the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $550 to $900 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $650 to $1,050 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $850 to $1,400 per month

Dayton is extremely affordable. Your stipend will go very far. The Oregon District and Oakwood are most desirable, while Kettering is practical for Kettering Health nurses.

Many travel nurses in Dayton find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Dayton, OH area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Dayton

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Dayton that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. One of the cheapest cities in America — Dayton consistently ranks among the most affordable cities in the country. Your savings potential is exceptional.

2. Aviation heritage — The Wright Brothers’ legacy is everywhere, from the National Museum of the US Air Force to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

3. Ohio income tax plus local taxes — Ohio has state and local income taxes. Despite this, the extremely low cost of living makes Dayton financially attractive.

4. Four seasons with real winters — Dayton has cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Dayton has one of the lowest costs of living among American cities. Groceries are well below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining is extremely affordable.

When budgeting for your Dayton assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Aldi are popular grocery options. The Oregon District has excellent and affordable dining. Many of Dayton’s best attractions, including the Air Force Museum, are free. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Dayton has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• National Museum of the US Air Force — The world’s largest military aviation museum with hundreds of aircraft, completely free admission.
• Oregon District — Dayton’s walkable entertainment district with locally owned restaurants, bars, and shops.
• Five Rivers MetroParks — An excellent park system with paved trails, kayaking, and nature preserves throughout the Dayton area.
• Carillon Historical Park — A 65-acre open-air history museum featuring the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical airplane.

Take full advantage of your time in Dayton. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Dayton, Ohio offers travel nurses one of the most affordable cities in America with strong hospital systems, rich aviation heritage, and a cost of living that maximizes travel nurse savings. With Premier Health (Miami Valley Hospital), Kettering Health, and the Dayton VA and a low cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Dayton, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Dayton assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Dayton assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.