City Report · OH

Hamilton

Pop. 63,468·56th most expensive in Ohio·Hamilton rents are up 10.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,535/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.1%
Month-over-Month
-5.1%
vs US Median
-$427
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hamilton · $1,535
More affordable than 73% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
38/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% above what Hamilton's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,535/mo
Expected by trend
$1,446/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hamilton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,205
3 BR
$1,600
4 BR+
$1,765
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,205/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,535 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
$18,420/yr
At $1,535/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 (+10.1% YoY, -5.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hamilton, OH is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
63,468
Median income
$55,166
Median age
34.8
Renters
45.7%
Age distribution
23.3%
26.9%
24%
14.3%
Under 1823.3%
18–3426.9%
35–5424%
55–6411.4%
65+14.3%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
73.8%
12%
White73.8%
Black7.7%
Hispanic12%
Asian0.8%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
14.6%
40.3%
28.7%
16.5%
No HS diploma14.6%
HS diploma40.3%
Some college28.7%
Bachelor's+16.5%
Housing tenure
54.3%
45.7%
Owner54.3%
Renter45.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Hamilton, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,020 → $1,535
up 50.5%
Income
$50,034 → $55,166
up 10.3%
Population
63,127 → 63,468
up 0.5%
Renter share
44.9% → 45.7%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
16.7% → 16.5%
-0.2 pts
Median age
35.3 → 34.8
-0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Hamilton, OH has shifted from $1,020 to $1,535, up 50.5% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,034 in 2021 to $55,166 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Hamilton, OH market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Hamilton

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

Can you afford rent in Hamilton on your salary?

At $1,535/mo, how Hamilton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hamilton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hamilton

About renting in Hamilton, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hamilton is $1,535/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,205/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,600/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($55,166/yr), Hamilton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hamilton an affordable city for renters?

Hamilton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,535/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($55,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hamilton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hamilton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,535/mo in Hamilton. The local median household income is $55,166/yr, meaning the typical Hamilton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hamilton?

Rent in Hamilton has increased 10.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hamilton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hamilton are 45013 ($1,284/mo), and 45011 ($2,015/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hamilton is $1,535/mo.

How does Hamilton rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Hamilton is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #56 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,535/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hamilton?

Fairfield is nearby and more affordable at $1,306/mo, which is $229 less than Hamilton.

What percentage of Hamilton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.7% of Hamilton households are renters, while 54.3% are owner-occupied. Hamilton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hamilton rent compare to the national average?

Hamilton's median rent of $1,535/mo is $427 (22%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #56 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,535/mo, rent takes ~33% of Hamilton's median household income ($55,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hamilton 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Hamilton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hamilton
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hamilton, OH

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