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City Report · OH

Lancaster

Pop. 41,249·96th most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,240/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
-$725
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lancaster · $1,240
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Lancaster's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,240/mo
Expected by trend
$1,352/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lancaster's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,180
3 BR
$1,420
4 BR+
$1,580
Research median
$1,180/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
$14,880/yr
At $1,240/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.1% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lancaster, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
41,249
Median income
$59,133
Median age
37.4
Renters
40.9%
Age distribution
22.7%
24.1%
23%
18.7%
Under 1822.7%
18–3424.1%
35–5423%
55–6411.4%
65+18.7%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
91.7%
White91.7%
Black1.6%
Hispanic2.9%
Asian0.6%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
39.7%
30.8%
21.9%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma39.7%
Some college30.8%
Bachelor's+21.9%
Housing tenure
59.1%
40.9%
Owner59.1%
Renter40.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Lancaster, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$885 → $1,240
up 40.1%
Income
$50,994 → $59,133
up 16.0%
Population
40,360 → 41,249
up 2.2%
Renter share
41.3% → 40.9%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
20.9% → 21.9%
+1.0 pts
Median age
39.4 → 37.4
-2.0 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Lancaster, OH has climbed by $355 per month, settling near $1,240 after starting the period at $885. Census figures show median household income at $59,133 today, compared with $50,994 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 24.1 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 40,360 to 41,249 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.2% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Lancaster

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

Can you afford rent in Lancaster on your salary?

At $1,240/mo, how Lancaster rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lancaster rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lancaster

About renting in Lancaster, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lancaster is $1,240/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,180/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,420/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($59,133/yr), Lancaster ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lancaster an affordable city for renters?

Lancaster is considered affordable for renters. At $1,240/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($59,133/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lancaster falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lancaster?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,240/mo in Lancaster. The local median household income is $59,133/yr, meaning the typical Lancaster household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lancaster?

Rent in Lancaster has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Lancaster rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Lancaster is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #96 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,240/mo.

What percentage of Lancaster residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.9% of Lancaster households are renters, while 59.1% are owner-occupied. Lancaster leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lancaster rent compare to the national average?

Lancaster's median rent of $1,240/mo is $725 (37%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #96 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,240/mo, rent takes ~25% of Lancaster's median household income ($59,133/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lancaster, OH

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