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City Report · OH

Lorain

Pop. 65,395·115th most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,075/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
-$890
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lorain · $1,075
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
68/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Lorain's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,075/mo
Expected by trend
$1,179/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lorain's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$777
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,067
3 BR
$1,370
4 BR+
$1,473
Research median
$1,067/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
$12,900/yr
At $1,075/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lorain, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
65,395
Median income
$48,685
Median age
39.8
Renters
42.9%
Age distribution
23.5%
21.2%
23.5%
14.2%
17.6%
Under 1823.5%
18–3421.2%
35–5423.5%
55–6414.2%
65+17.6%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
53.6%
18.3%
28.3%
White53.6%
Black18.3%
Hispanic28.3%
Asian0.5%
Education (25+)
15.1%
36.6%
33.4%
14.8%
No HS diploma15.1%
HS diploma36.6%
Some college33.4%
Bachelor's+14.8%
Housing tenure
57.1%
42.9%
Owner57.1%
Renter42.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Lorain, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$775 → $1,075
up 38.7%
Income
$42,201 → $48,685
up 15.4%
Population
65,051 → 65,395
up 0.5%
Renter share
45.4% → 42.9%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
12.8% → 14.8%
+2.0 pts
Median age
38.2 → 39.8
+1.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Lorain, OH paid around $775 a month. That figure now sits near $1,075, up 38.7% from the 2022 baseline. Median household income climbed from $42,201 to $48,685 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.4% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 45.4% to 42.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 12.8% to 14.8% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Lorain, OH reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Lorain on your salary?

At $1,075/mo, how Lorain rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lorain rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lorain

About renting in Lorain, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lorain is $1,075/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $777/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,067/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,370/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($48,685/yr), Lorain ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lorain an affordable city for renters?

Lorain is considered affordable for renters. At $1,075/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($48,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lorain falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lorain?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,075/mo in Lorain. The local median household income is $48,685/yr, meaning the typical Lorain household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lorain?

Rent in Lorain has increased 2.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lorain neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lorain are 44053 ($947/mo), 44052 ($1,024/mo), and 44055 ($1,130/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lorain is $1,075/mo.

How does Lorain rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Lorain is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #115 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,075/mo.

What percentage of Lorain residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.9% of Lorain households are renters, while 57.1% are owner-occupied. Lorain leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lorain rent compare to the national average?

Lorain's median rent of $1,075/mo is $890 (45%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #115 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,075/mo, rent takes ~26% of Lorain's median household income ($48,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lorain 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Lorain affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lorain, OH

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