City Report · OH

Middletown

Pop. 51,617·88th most expensive in Ohio·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,295/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
-$667
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Middletown · $1,295
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
58/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Middletown's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,295/mo
Expected by trend
$1,346/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Middletown's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,600
4 BR+
$1,770
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,210/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,295 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,540/yr
At $1,295/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.9% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Middletown, OH is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
51,617
Median income
$57,102
Median age
38.6
Renters
46%
Age distribution
21.8%
23.7%
24.2%
12.7%
17.5%
Under 1821.8%
18–3423.7%
35–5424.2%
55–6412.7%
65+17.5%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
71.6%
13.4%
White71.6%
Black13.4%
Hispanic8.2%
Asian0.9%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
13%
39.7%
29.7%
17.6%
No HS diploma13%
HS diploma39.7%
Some college29.7%
Bachelor's+17.6%
Housing tenure
54%
46%
Owner54%
Renter46%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Middletown, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,088 → $1,295
up 19.0%
Income
$47,116 → $57,102
up 21.2%
Population
50,114 → 51,617
up 3.0%
Renter share
46.5% → 46%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
15.8% → 17.6%
+1.8 pts

Five years ago, renters in Middletown, OH paid around $1,088 a month. That figure now sits near $1,295, up 19.0% from the 2022 baseline. Median household income climbed from $47,116 to $57,102 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.2% shift. Census counts show Middletown, OH adding about 1,503 residents over the five-year window, up 3.0% on net. Taken together, the five-year picture in Middletown, 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 Middletown rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Middletown on your salary?

At $1,295/mo, how Middletown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Middletown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Middletown

About renting in Middletown, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Middletown is $1,295/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,600/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($57,102/yr), Middletown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Middletown an affordable city for renters?

Middletown is considered affordable for renters. At $1,295/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($57,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Middletown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Middletown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,295/mo in Middletown. The local median household income is $57,102/yr, meaning the typical Middletown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Middletown?

Rent in Middletown has increased 3.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Middletown neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Middletown are 45042 ($1,313/mo), and 45044 ($1,428/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Middletown is $1,295/mo.

How does Middletown rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Middletown is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #88 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,295/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Middletown?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Middletown ($1,295/mo): Franklin ($1,198/mo), Miamisburg ($1,285/mo).

What percentage of Middletown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46% of Middletown households are renters, while 54% are owner-occupied. Middletown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Middletown rent compare to the national average?

Middletown's median rent of $1,295/mo is $667 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #88 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,295/mo, rent takes ~27% of Middletown's median household income ($57,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Middletown 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Middletown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Middletown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Middletown, OH

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