City Report · OH

Cleveland Heights

Pop. 44,497·65th most expensive in Ohio·Cleveland Heights rents are up 8.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,490/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.3%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
-$475
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Cleveland Heights rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cleveland Heights · $1,490
More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
42/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Cleveland Heights's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,490/mo
Expected by trend
$1,432/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cleveland Heights's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$980
1 BR
$1,100
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,720
4 BR+
$1,850
Research median
$1,340/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
$17,880/yr
At $1,490/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.3% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cleveland Heights, OH is majority owner-occupied, 58.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
44,497
Median income
$72,826
Median age
35.9
Renters
41.8%
Age distribution
21.7%
26.7%
22.8%
19.2%
Under 1821.7%
18–3426.7%
35–5422.8%
55–649.7%
65+19.2%
Gender
45.1%
54.9%
Male45.1%
Female54.9%
Race & ethnicity
46.4%
40.4%
White46.4%
Black40.4%
Hispanic3.3%
Asian6%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
14.7%
23%
58.7%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma14.7%
Some college23%
Bachelor's+58.7%
Housing tenure
58.2%
41.8%
Owner58.2%
Renter41.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cleveland Heights, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,025 → $1,490
up 45.4%
Income
$62,823 → $72,826
up 15.9%
Population
45,267 → 44,497
down 1.7%
Renter share
42.7% → 41.8%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
56.4% → 58.7%
+2.3 pts
Median age
36.5 → 35.9
-0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cleveland Heights, OH has shifted from $1,025 to $1,490, up 45.4% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $62,823 in 2021 to $72,826 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Cleveland Heights, OH losing about 770 residents over the five-year window, down 1.7% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 56.4% to 58.7% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Cleveland Heights, OH market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Cleveland Heights

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Cleveland Heights rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cleveland Heights on your salary?

At $1,490/mo, how Cleveland Heights rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cleveland Heights rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cleveland Heights

About renting in Cleveland Heights, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cleveland Heights is $1,490/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $980/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($72,826/yr), Cleveland Heights ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cleveland Heights an affordable city for renters?

Cleveland Heights is considered affordable for renters. At $1,490/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($72,826/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cleveland Heights falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cleveland Heights?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,490/mo in Cleveland Heights. The local median household income is $72,826/yr, meaning the typical Cleveland Heights household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cleveland Heights?

Rent in Cleveland Heights has increased 8.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Cleveland Heights rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Cleveland Heights is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #65 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,490/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cleveland Heights?

East Cleveland is nearby and more affordable at $771/mo, which is $719 less than Cleveland Heights.

What percentage of Cleveland Heights residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.8% of Cleveland Heights households are renters, while 58.2% are owner-occupied. Cleveland Heights leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cleveland Heights rent compare to the national average?

Cleveland Heights's median rent of $1,490/mo is $475 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #65 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,490/mo, rent takes ~25% of Cleveland Heights's median household income ($72,826/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cleveland Heights 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Cleveland Heights affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Cleveland Heights
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cleveland Heights, OH

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Cleveland Heights.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.