City Report · OH

Elyria

Pop. 53,035·100th most expensive in Ohio·Elyria rents are up 7.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,176/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.3%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$756
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Elyria · $1,176
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Rent Reality Score
51/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Elyria's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,176/mo
Expected by trend
$1,179/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Elyria's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$780
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,380
4 BR+
$1,480
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,176 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in Elyria is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of Ohio

Rent in Elyria changed +7.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 93 Ohio cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($54,945) is $1,374 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,070); a 3-bedroom is $1,380.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Elyria. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$14,112/yr
At $1,176/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.3% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Elyria, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
53,035
Median income
$54,945
Median age
39.4
Renters
40%
Age distribution
21.9%
22.4%
24.7%
12.9%
18.1%
Under 1821.9%
18–3422.4%
35–5424.7%
55–6412.9%
65+18.1%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
71%
12.5%
White71%
Black12.5%
Hispanic10.5%
Asian1.4%
Other4.6%
Education (25+)
34.1%
36.1%
17.8%
No HS diploma12%
HS diploma34.1%
Some college36.1%
Bachelor's+17.8%
Housing tenure
60%
40%
Owner60%
Renter40%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Elyria, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$905 → $1,176
up 29.9%
Income
$46,034 → $54,945
up 19.4%
Population
52,853 → 53,035
up 0.3%
Renter share
41.2% → 40%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
15.1% → 17.8%
+2.7 pts
Median age
40.3 → 39.4
-0.9 yrs

The median rent in Elyria, OH stood at $905 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,176, reflecting a 29.9% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $46,034 to $54,945 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.4% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 17.8% of adults here, versus 15.1% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Elyria, OH reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Elyria on your salary?

At $1,176/mo, how Elyria rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Elyria rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Elyria

About renting in Elyria, OH

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Elyria is $1,176/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($54,945/yr), Elyria ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Elyria?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (about $23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,176/mo in Elyria. The local median household income is $54,945/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Elyria?

Rent in Elyria has risen 7.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2021.

How does Elyria rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Elyria is one of the more affordable among Ohio cities for rent, ranking #100 of 125 tracked cities at $1,176/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Elyria changed +7.3%, against a typical +4.3% across the 93 Ohio cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Elyria?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Elyria ($1,176/mo) include Lorain ($1,104/mo).
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,176/mo, rent takes ~26% of Elyria's median household income ($54,945/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Elyria 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Elyria affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Elyria, OH

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