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City Report · OH

Wooster

Pop. 26,971·75th most expensive in Ohio·Wooster rents have dropped 10.1%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,396/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.1%
Month-over-Month
+4.3%
vs US Median
-$566
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wooster · $1,396
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,396/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$66,898/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wooster's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$670
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$970
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,360
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$970/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,396 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
$16,752/yr
At $1,396/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.1% YoY, +4.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wooster, OH is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 36.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
26,971
Median income
$66,898
Median age
40.1
Renters
34.8%
Age distribution
17.2%
28%
21.3%
12.6%
20.9%
Under 1817.2%
18–3428%
35–5421.3%
55–6412.6%
65+20.9%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
88.7%
White88.7%
Black2.3%
Hispanic3.4%
Asian2.2%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
32.9%
24.3%
36.9%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma32.9%
Some college24.3%
Bachelor's+36.9%
Housing tenure
65.2%
34.8%
Owner65.2%
Renter34.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wooster, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,598 → $66,898
up 20.3%
Population
26,753 → 26,971
up 0.8%
Renter share
39.8% → 34.8%
-5.0 pts
Bachelor's+
30.1% → 36.9%
+6.8 pts
Median age
38.5 → 40.1
+1.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $55,598 to $66,898 across the same window, up 20.3% versus 2021. Renters now make up 34.8% of households, compared with 39.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 36.9% of adults here, versus 30.1% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Wooster on your salary?

At $1,396/mo, how Wooster rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wooster rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wooster

About renting in Wooster, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Wooster is $1,396/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $670/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $970/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($66,898/yr), Wooster ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wooster an affordable city for renters?

Wooster is considered affordable for renters. At $1,396/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($66,898/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wooster falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wooster?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,396/mo in Wooster. The local median household income is $66,898/yr, meaning the typical Wooster household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wooster?

Rent in Wooster has decreased 10.1% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Wooster rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Wooster is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #75 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,396/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wooster?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wooster ($1,396/mo): Ashland ($922/mo), Barberton ($1,151/mo).

What percentage of Wooster residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.8% of Wooster households are renters, while 65.2% are owner-occupied. Wooster leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wooster rent compare to the national average?

Wooster's median rent of $1,396/mo is $566 (29%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #75 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,396/mo, rent takes ~25% of Wooster's median household income ($66,898/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wooster 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Wooster affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wooster, OH

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