Home Safety in Dayton, OH: High Risk
Score 52/100 · Risk: high · Home Safety Grade D · Updated
Dayton has elevated risk. Multiple safety factors require thorough evaluation before purchasing.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
For Dayton property owners, the repair budget here is a meaningful slice of typical household net worth.
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Dayton scores 52/100 with a "high" risk level.
What is the equity trap ratio?
The equity trap ratio measures estimated remediation costs as a percentage of median home value. A high ratio (above 5%) means fixing environmental issues could consume a significant portion of your home equity - a potential "trap" for buyers unaware of hidden costs. Dayton's equity trap ratio is 4.3%, which is moderate.
Remediation Cost Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Dayton:
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across Dayton's 49 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45426 | 45 | D | View report → |
| 45417 | 46 | D | View report → |
| 45440 | 46 | D | View report → |
| 45424 | 49 | D | View report → |
| 45431 | 49 | D | View report → |
| 45432 | 49 | D | View report → |
| 45402 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45403 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45404 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45405 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45406 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45409 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45410 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45414 | 50 | D | View report → |
| 45415 | 50 | D | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
Dayton, Ohio has elevated risk for homebuyers. The average home safety score is 52/100 across 25 ZIP codes. Multiple risk factors require thorough evaluation before purchasing property.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of Dayton's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 19 EPA violations across 29 direct ZIP records | Recorded violations |
| Lead Risk | 0.3249 mg/L | Elevated risk |
| Flood Risk | 59% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 1 (High) | Elevated risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 58 (Moderate) | Moderate risk |
Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Dayton:
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Lead | $4K |
| Filtration | $44 |
| Pfas | $467 |
| Total (low estimate) | $3K |
| Total (mid estimate) | $4K |
| Total (high estimate) | $6K |
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across Dayton's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 45426 | 45 | D |
| 45417 | 46 | D |
| 45440 | 46 | D |
| 45424 | 49 | D |
| 45431 | 49 | D |
| 45432 | 49 | D |
| 45402 | 50 | D |
| 45403 | 50 | D |
| 45404 | 50 | D |
| 45405 | 50 | D |
| 45406 | 50 | D |
| 45409 | 50 | D |
| 45410 | 50 | D |
| 45414 | 50 | D |
| 45415 | 50 | D |
Safety scores range from 45 (45426) to 65 (45435) - a spread of 20 points.
Dayton vs. Nearby Ohio Cities
How Dayton's overall risk compares to similar cities in Ohio:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | D | 20 | 286 | 485,366 |
| Toledo | B | 0 | 878 | 299,334 |
| Akron | D | 0 | 342 | 263,720 |
| Cleveland | B | 0 | 804 | 734,002 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Dayton
Before purchasing a home in Dayton, Ohio, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
- 20 ZIP codes exceed EPA lead limits - test lead specifically
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
- Dayton is in Radon Zone 1 (High risk) - testing is strongly recommended
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 59% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 81% of Dayton homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Dayton, OH
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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