Real Estate Investing in Dalton, Ohio (44618)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Wayne County • Population: 7,869 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 44618 (Dalton, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Dalton, OH (44618)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $309,544
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,540
% Renters 23.1%

Market Analysis: 44618 Dalton

This part of Wayne County is not an easy win. The 44618 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 44618 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $310K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Dalton have seen price recovery that 44618 has not matched. Wayne County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 44618 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Dalton averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 44618, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Dalton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Wooster, OH Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Wooster, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 44618

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$89,243/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $233,782 $980 3.0% +10.5% $116,891
3BR $296,234 $1,200 2.9% +9.5% $98,745
4BR $372,283 $1,400 2.7% +8.2% $93,071
5BR $446,213 +5.5% $89,243

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$352K$305K$257K$209K$162K$114KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 44618 Compare?

Metric 44618 Dalton Wooster, OH Ohio
Home Value $309,544 $309,544 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 8.0% 8.0% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $882 $882 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 44618? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 44618 (Dalton, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.0%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Wooster, OH metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $309,544
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 29.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
5.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 44618

Population: 7,869

💰 Median Household Income
$67,540
This area
$67,540
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.1%
This area
23.1%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.2 years
This area
34.2 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.5%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
👶 Under 18
29.4%
This area
29.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.7%
This area
18.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 44618

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
17.6:1 Avg Class Size
$15,137 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Dalton Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,137 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Dalton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
292 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,137 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Dalton Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
274 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,137 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

7 Nearby 4,197 Off-Campus Students
D
University of Akron Wayne College
1,361 students · 8.1 mi
C+
Wayne County Schools Career Center
90 students · 11.3 mi
C
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
462 students · 12.2 mi
C+
The College of Wooster
1,876 students · 13.1 mi
D
Ross College-Canton
344 students · 14.5 mi
C
Stark State College
9,616 students · 14.7 mi
C
Kent State University at Stark
3,433 students · 14.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,197 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Dalton, OH?

Homes in Dalton, OH typically sell near $310K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

What is it like being a landlord in Dalton, OH?

The landlord environment in Dalton, OH is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What kind of tenants rent in Dalton, OH?

The renter base in Dalton, OH is reasonable for the $882/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

Does house hacking work in Dalton, OH?

For house hackers, Dalton, OH is a challenging. The $882/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $310K property.

How does Dalton, OH stack up for property investment?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Dalton, OH reflects its $310K prices and $882/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within OH.

You know 44618 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 44618 ranks in Wooster, OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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