At $898/mo, rent takes about 49% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $898 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in East Cleveland changed +4.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 93 Ohio cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($22,116) is $553 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($740).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for East Cleveland. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
East Cleveland, OH is majority renter-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How East Cleveland, OH has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $22,116 today, compared with $21,699 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 4.8% since 2021, moving from about 14,212 residents to roughly 13,534. Renters now make up 62.9% of households, compared with 68.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 17.3% of adults here, versus 14.3% in 2021.
Discussions about East Cleveland
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in East Cleveland on your salary?
At $898/mo, how East Cleveland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
East Cleveland rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in East Cleveland. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in East Cleveland
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in East Cleveland is $898/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,300/mo.
At 49% of local median household income ($22,116/yr), East Cleveland ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in East Cleveland?
Is rent going up or down in East Cleveland?
How does East Cleveland rent compare to other cities in Ohio?
At $898/mo, rent takes ~49% of East Cleveland's median household income ($22,116/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for East Cleveland.
No discussions yet.