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City Report · OH

Bowling Green

Pop. 29,983·115th most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,041/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.8%
vs US Median
-$921
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bowling Green · $1,041
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,041/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$42,000/yr
Local median income
$45,154/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bowling Green's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,340
4 BR+
$1,400
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,041 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
$12,492/yr
At $1,041/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bowling Green, OH is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 44.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,983
Median income
$45,154
Median age
23.5
Renters
65.9%
Age distribution
13.4%
56.3%
12.9%
Under 1813.4%
18–3456.3%
35–5412.9%
55–646.5%
65+10.9%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
83.2%
White83.2%
Black4.7%
Hispanic6.7%
Asian1.9%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
26.2%
24.5%
44.2%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma26.2%
Some college24.5%
Bachelor's+44.2%
Housing tenure
34.1%
65.9%
Owner34.1%
Renter65.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bowling Green, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,356 → $45,154
up 20.9%
Population
30,715 → 29,983
down 2.4%
Renter share
65.7% → 65.9%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
45.2% → 44.2%
-1.0 pts
Median age
22.8 → 23.5
+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $37,356 to $45,154 across the same window, up 20.9% versus 2021. Census counts show Bowling Green, OH losing about 732 residents over the five-year window, down 2.4% on net.

Community

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View Bowling Green rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bowling Green on your salary?

At $1,041/mo, how Bowling Green rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bowling Green rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bowling Green

About renting in Bowling Green, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bowling Green is $1,041/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $790/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,340/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($45,154/yr), Bowling Green ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bowling Green an affordable city for renters?

Bowling Green is considered affordable for renters. At $1,041/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($45,154/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bowling Green falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bowling Green?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,041/mo in Bowling Green. The local median household income is $45,154/yr, meaning the typical Bowling Green household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bowling Green?

Rent in Bowling Green has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Bowling Green rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Bowling Green is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #115 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,041/mo.

What percentage of Bowling Green residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.9% of Bowling Green households are renters, while 34.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Bowling Green has a strong rental market.

How does Bowling Green rent compare to the national average?

Bowling Green's median rent of $1,041/mo is $921 (47%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #115 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,041/mo, rent takes ~28% of Bowling Green's median household income ($45,154/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bowling Green 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Bowling Green affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bowling Green, OH

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