At $1,768/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,768 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 University Heights changed +12.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 93 Ohio cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($96,971) is $2,424 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,890).
Cleveland Heights, 2 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,394/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for University Heights. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
University Heights, OH is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 67.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How University Heights, OH has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $96,971 today, compared with $81,481 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 4.0% since 2021, moving from about 13,950 residents to roughly 13,394. Renters now make up 32.3% of households, compared with 35.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 67.5% of adults here, versus 62.2% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in University Heights on your salary?
At $1,768/mo, how University Heights rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
University Heights rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in University Heights. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in University Heights
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in University Heights is $1,768/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,130/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,760/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($96,971/yr), University Heights ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in University Heights?
Is rent going up or down in University Heights?
How does University Heights rent compare to other cities in Ohio?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than University Heights?
At $1,768/mo, rent takes ~22% of University Heights's median household income ($96,971/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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