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City Report · OH

Kent

Pop. 27,116·76th most expensive in Ohio·Kent rents have dropped 10.4%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,392/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.4%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
-$573
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kent · $1,392
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
83/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Kent's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,392/mo
Expected by trend
$1,662/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kent's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,380
4 BR+
$1,490
Research median
$1,120/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,704/yr
At $1,392/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 10.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.4% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kent, OH is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 47.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,116
Median income
$42,964
Median age
23.8
Renters
59.2%
Age distribution
12.5%
52.9%
16.2%
Under 1812.5%
18–3452.9%
35–5416.2%
55–647%
65+11.4%
Gender
44.6%
55.4%
Male44.6%
Female55.4%
Race & ethnicity
81.9%
White81.9%
Black8.5%
Hispanic2.5%
Asian3.6%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
26.8%
20.9%
47.1%
No HS diploma5.2%
HS diploma26.8%
Some college20.9%
Bachelor's+47.1%
Housing tenure
40.8%
59.2%
Owner40.8%
Renter59.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Kent, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,150 → $1,392
up 21.0%
Income
$36,799 → $42,964
up 16.8%
Population
27,912 → 27,116
down 2.9%
Renter share
59.8% → 59.2%
-0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
42.5% → 47.1%
+4.6 pts

Rent in Kent, OH has increased 21.0% since 2023, going from about $1,150 per month to roughly $1,392 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $36,799 in 2021 to $42,964 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 27,912 to 27,116 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 42.5% to 47.1%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Kent, OH market of 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Kent on your salary?

At $1,392/mo, how Kent rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kent rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kent

About renting in Kent, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kent is $1,392/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($42,964/yr), Kent ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kent an affordable city for renters?

Kent is considered moderate for renters. At $1,392/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($42,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kent slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kent?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,392/mo in Kent. The local median household income is $42,964/yr, meaning the typical Kent household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kent?

Rent in Kent has decreased 10.4% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Kent rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Kent is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #76 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,392/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kent?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kent ($1,392/mo): Akron ($1,130/mo), North Canton ($1,373/mo).

What percentage of Kent residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.2% of Kent households are renters, while 40.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Kent has a strong rental market.

How does Kent rent compare to the national average?

Kent's median rent of $1,392/mo is $573 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #76 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $1,392/mo, rent takes ~39% of Kent's median household income ($42,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kent 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Kent affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kent, OH

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