City Report · OH

Westlake

Pop. 34,104·23rd most expensive in Ohio·Westlake rents have dropped 8.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,853/mo
Year-over-Year
-8.0%
Month-over-Month
-4.3%
vs US Median
-$112
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Westlake · $1,853
More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,853/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$74,000/yr
Local median income
$112,200/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Westlake's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,220
1 BR
$1,380
2 BR
$1,670
3 BR
$2,150
4 BR+
$2,300
Research median
$1,670/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
$22,236/yr
At $1,853/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 8.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-8.0% YoY, -4.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Westlake, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 60.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,104
Median income
$112,200
Median age
46.9
Renters
26.9%
Age distribution
20.2%
15.7%
24.3%
14.7%
25.1%
Under 1820.2%
18–3415.7%
35–5424.3%
55–6414.7%
65+25.1%
Gender
47.2%
52.8%
Male47.2%
Female52.8%
Race & ethnicity
85.4%
White85.4%
Black2.1%
Hispanic4.4%
Asian6.1%
Other2%
Education (25+)
15.3%
19.9%
60.2%
No HS diploma4.6%
HS diploma15.3%
Some college19.9%
Bachelor's+60.2%
Housing tenure
73.1%
26.9%
Owner73.1%
Renter26.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Westlake, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$98,285 → $112,200
up 14.2%
Population
34,049 → 34,104
up 0.2%
Renter share
28% → 26.9%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
55.6% → 60.2%
+4.6 pts
Median age
46.3 → 46.9
+0.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Westlake, OH now reports about $112,200, up from $98,285 in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 55.6% to 60.2%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Westlake on your salary?

At $1,853/mo, how Westlake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Westlake rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Westlake

About renting in Westlake, OH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Westlake is $1,853/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,220/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,670/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,380/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,150/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($112,200/yr), Westlake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Westlake an affordable city for renters?

Westlake is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,853/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($112,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Westlake falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Westlake?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,853/mo in Westlake. The local median household income is $112,200/yr, meaning the typical Westlake household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Westlake?

Rent in Westlake has decreased 8.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Westlake rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Westlake is one of the pricier cities in Ohio for rent, ranking #23 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,853/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Westlake?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Westlake ($1,853/mo): Fairview Park ($1,195/mo), Brookpark ($1,600/mo), North Olmsted ($1,764/mo).

What percentage of Westlake residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.9% of Westlake households are renters, while 73.1% are owner-occupied. Westlake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Westlake rent compare to the national average?

Westlake's median rent of $1,853/mo is $112 (6%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #23 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,853/mo, rent takes ~20% of Westlake's median household income ($112,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Westlake 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Westlake affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Westlake
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Westlake, OH

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