City Report · OH

Bedford

Pop. 12,931·102nd most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,173/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.3%
vs US Median
-$789
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bedford · $1,173
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,173/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$57,308/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bedford's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$1,010
2 BR
$1,230
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,700
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,230/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,173 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,076/yr
At $1,173/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.8% YoY, +2.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bedford, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,931
Median income
$57,308
Median age
42.2
Renters
40.8%
Age distribution
19.7%
23.6%
22.1%
14.8%
19.8%
Under 1819.7%
18–3423.6%
35–5422.1%
55–6414.8%
65+19.8%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
33.3%
58%
White33.3%
Black58%
Hispanic4.4%
Other4.3%
Education (25+)
40%
34.3%
20.2%
No HS diploma5.6%
HS diploma40%
Some college34.3%
Bachelor's+20.2%
Housing tenure
59.2%
40.8%
Owner59.2%
Renter40.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bedford, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,541 → $57,308
up 15.7%
Population
13,073 → 12,931
down 1.1%
Renter share
46.7% → 40.8%
-5.9 pts
Bachelor's+
24.2% → 20.2%
-4.0 pts
Median age
41.4 → 42.2
+0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Bedford, OH now reports about $57,308, up from $49,541 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,073 to 12,931 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.1% change. About 40.8% of households rent today, against 46.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 24.2% to 20.2%.

Community

Discussions about Bedford

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View Bedford rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bedford on your salary?

At $1,173/mo, how Bedford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bedford rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bedford. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bedford

About renting in Bedford, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bedford is $1,173/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($57,308/yr), Bedford ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bedford an affordable city for renters?

Bedford is considered affordable for renters. At $1,173/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($57,308/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bedford falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bedford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,173/mo in Bedford. The local median household income is $57,308/yr, meaning the typical Bedford household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bedford?

Rent in Bedford has increased 3.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bedford rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Bedford is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #102 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,173/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bedford?

Bedford Heights is nearby and more affordable at $1,065/mo, which is $108 less than Bedford.

What percentage of Bedford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.8% of Bedford households are renters, while 59.2% are owner-occupied. Bedford leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bedford rent compare to the national average?

Bedford's median rent of $1,173/mo is $789 (40%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #102 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,173/mo, rent takes ~25% of Bedford's median household income ($57,308/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bedford 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Bedford affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bedford, OH

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