City Report · OH

Plain City

Pop. 3,829·16th most expensive in Ohio·Plain City rents are up 9.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,045/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.8%
Month-over-Month
-10.4%
vs US Median
+$83
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Plain City · $2,045
More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,045/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$82,000/yr
Local median income
$117,972/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Plain City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,150
1 BR
$1,200
2 BR
$1,500
3 BR
$1,810
4 BR+
$2,000
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,500/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,045 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
$24,540/yr
At $2,045/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 9.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.8% YoY, -10.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Plain City, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 43.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,829
Median income
$117,972
Median age
36
Renters
18%
Age distribution
25.8%
21.3%
24.4%
13.1%
15.4%
Under 1825.8%
18–3421.3%
35–5424.4%
55–6413.1%
65+15.4%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
96%
White96%
Hispanic2.3%
Asian0.7%
Other1%
Education (25+)
25.4%
29%
43.5%
No HS diploma2.1%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college29%
Bachelor's+43.5%
Housing tenure
82%
18%
Owner82%
Renter18%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Plain City, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$80,357 → $117,972
up 46.8%
Population
3,882 → 3,829
down 1.4%
Renter share
31.1% → 18%
-13.1 pts
Bachelor's+
34.6% → 43.5%
+8.9 pts
Median age
39 → 36
-3.0 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $80,357 in 2021 to $117,972 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 3,882 to 3,829 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. About 18% of households rent today, against 31.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 34.6% to 43.5%.

Community

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View Plain City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Plain City on your salary?

At $2,045/mo, how Plain City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Plain City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Plain City

About renting in Plain City, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Plain City is $2,045/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,810/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($117,972/yr), Plain City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Plain City an affordable city for renters?

Plain City is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,045/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($117,972/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Plain City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Plain City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,045/mo in Plain City. The local median household income is $117,972/yr, meaning the typical Plain City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Plain City?

Rent in Plain City has increased 9.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Plain City rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Plain City is one of the pricier cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #16 out of 124 tracked cities at $2,045/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Plain City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Plain City ($2,045/mo): Marysville ($1,511/mo), Hilliard ($1,635/mo), Dublin ($1,860/mo).

What percentage of Plain City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 18% of Plain City households are renters, while 82% are owner-occupied. Plain City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Plain City rent compare to the national average?

Plain City's median rent of $2,045/mo is $83 (4%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #16 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,045/mo, rent takes ~21% of Plain City's median household income ($117,972/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Plain City 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Plain City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Plain City, OH

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