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City Report · OH

Lima

Pop. 35,010·102nd most expensive in Ohio·Lima rents are up 10.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,176/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.3%
Month-over-Month
+3.6%
vs US Median
-$789
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lima · $1,176
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,176/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$46,240/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lima's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$795
2 BR
$1,045
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR+
$1,435
Research median
$1,045/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
$14,112/yr
At $1,176/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.3% YoY, +3.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lima, OH is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
35,010
Median income
$46,240
Median age
36.8
Renters
54.4%
Age distribution
23.1%
25.7%
23.3%
16%
Under 1823.1%
18–3425.7%
35–5423.3%
55–6411.9%
65+16%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
65.6%
20.5%
White65.6%
Black20.5%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian0.9%
Other8.2%
Education (25+)
45.2%
30.2%
12.8%
No HS diploma11.9%
HS diploma45.2%
Some college30.2%
Bachelor's+12.8%
Housing tenure
45.6%
54.4%
Owner45.6%
Renter54.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lima, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,668 → $46,240
up 22.8%
Population
36,352 → 35,010
down 3.7%
Renter share
54.3% → 54.4%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
10.6% → 12.8%
+2.2 pts
Median age
34.3 → 36.8
+2.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $46,240 today, compared with $37,668 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 3.7% since 2021, moving from about 36,352 residents to roughly 35,010. College-educated residents now make up 12.8% of adults here, versus 10.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lima

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

Can you afford rent in Lima on your salary?

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

By apartment size

Lima rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lima

About renting in Lima, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lima is $1,176/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,045/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $795/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,265/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($46,240/yr), Lima ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lima an affordable city for renters?

Lima is considered moderate for renters. At $1,176/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($46,240/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lima slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lima?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,176/mo in Lima. The local median household income is $46,240/yr, meaning the typical Lima household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lima?

Rent in Lima has increased 10.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lima neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lima are 45801 ($1,132/mo), and 45805 ($1,354/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lima is $1,176/mo.

How does Lima rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Lima is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #102 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,176/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lima?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lima ($1,176/mo): Sidney ($951/mo), Bowling Green ($1,049/mo), Piqua ($1,087/mo).

What percentage of Lima residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54.4% of Lima households are renters, while 45.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Lima has a strong rental market.

How does Lima rent compare to the national average?

Lima's median rent of $1,176/mo is $789 (40%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #102 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,176/mo, rent takes ~31% of Lima's median household income ($46,240/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lima 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Lima affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lima
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lima, OH

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