How much does it cost to rent in Cincinnati, OH?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cincinnati, OH is $1,475. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cincinnati cheaper than other Ohio cities?

Cincinnati falls in the middle range for Ohio, ranking #68 out of 128 cities at $1,475/mo.

When was Cincinnati rent data last updated?

Cincinnati rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Brian Webb / Unsplash

City Report · OH

Cincinnati

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cincinnati, OH
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 311,224·68th most expensive in Ohio·Cincinnati rents are up 5.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,475/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.1%

vs US Median

-$490

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cincinnati · $1,475

More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Cincinnati's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,475/mo

Expected by trend

$1,543/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cincinnati's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$878

1 BR

$989

2 BR

$1,283

3 BR

$1,702

4 BR+

$1,882

Research median

$1,283/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,700/yr

At $1,475/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.3% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cincinnati, OH is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 41.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

311,224

Median income

$52,909

Median age

33.2

Renters

60.2%

Age distribution

20.7%

32.2%

22.9%

13.5%

Under 1820.7%

18–3432.2%

35–5422.9%

55–6410.7%

65+13.5%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

49%

36.5%

White49%

Black36.5%

Hispanic6.1%

Asian2.7%

Other5.8%

Education (25+)

23.6%

24.6%

41.8%

No HS diploma10%

HS diploma23.6%

Some college24.6%

Bachelor's+41.8%

Housing tenure

39.8%

60.2%

Owner39.8%

Renter60.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cincinnati, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,089 → $1,475

up 35.4%

Income

$45,235 → $52,909

up 17.0%

Population

308,664 → 311,224

up 0.8%

Renter share

60.9% → 60.2%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

39.6% → 41.8%

+2.2 pts

Median age

32.7 → 33.2

+0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cincinnati, OH has shifted from $1,089 to $1,475, up 35.4% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Cincinnati, OH now reports about $52,909, up from $45,235 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 39.6% to 41.8% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Cincinnati, OH reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Cincinnati

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View Cincinnati rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cincinnati on your salary?

At $1,475/mo, how Cincinnati rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 19.9% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 24.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 13.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 10.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 30% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 33.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 26.9% income

affordable

By apartment size

Cincinnati rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cincinnati

About renting in Cincinnati, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cincinnati is $1,475/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $878/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,283/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $989/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,702/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($52,909/yr), Cincinnati ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cincinnati an affordable city for renters?

Cincinnati is considered moderate for renters. At $1,475/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($52,909/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cincinnati slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cincinnati?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,475/mo in Cincinnati. The local median household income is $52,909/yr, meaning the typical Cincinnati household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cincinnati?

Rent in Cincinnati has increased 5.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Cincinnati neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cincinnati are 45232 ($980/mo), 45238 ($1,043/mo), and 45229 ($1,131/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cincinnati is $1,475/mo.

How does Cincinnati rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Cincinnati is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #68 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,475/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cincinnati?

Fort Thomas is nearby and more affordable at $1,402/mo, which is $73 less than Cincinnati.

What percentage of Cincinnati residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 60.2% of Cincinnati households are renters, while 39.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Cincinnati has a strong rental market.

How does Cincinnati rent compare to the national average?

Cincinnati's median rent of $1,475/mo is $490 (25%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #68 out of 128 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,475/mo, rent takes ~33% of Cincinnati's median household income ($52,909/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cincinnati 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2.75–3.5%

Run the Cincinnati affordability calculator →

Nearby cities