At $1,216/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,216 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Lima changed +5.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 93 Ohio cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($46,240) is $1,156 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,045); a 3-bedroom is $1,265.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lima. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lima, OH has changed in 5 years
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.
Discussions about Lima
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Lima on your salary?
At $1,216/mo, how Lima rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lima rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lima. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lima
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lima is $1,216/mo as of October 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 32% of local median household income ($46,240/yr), Lima ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Lima?
Is rent going up or down in Lima?
Which Lima neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Lima rent compare to other cities in Ohio?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lima?
At $1,216/mo, rent takes ~32% of Lima's median household income ($46,240/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Lima.
No discussions yet.