Can A Dental Assistant Afford Rent in Lima, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.9% of gross income.

Lima rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio state estimate).

Lima median rent
$1,176/mo
Dental Assistant salary (Ohio)
$45,646/yr
Rent as % of income
30.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,804, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,141/mo in rent. Lima's median rent of $1,176 exceeds that threshold by $35/mo, putting a dental assistant salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental assistant works roughly 53.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental assistant salary

Dental assistant pay sits near the US median household income. At the national-average dental-assistant salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,214 a month in rent, which is achievable in most lower- and mid-cost metros.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Ohio cities have lower median rent than Lima, which improves the affordability math on a dental assistant salary:

Westerville, OH
$1,173/mo (30.8% of income)
Dayton, OH
$1,173/mo (30.8% of income)
Bedford, OH
$1,173/mo (30.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lima

View full rent data for Lima, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental assistant afford rent in Lima, OH?

Median rent in Lima is $1,176 a month. A typical dental assistant in Ohio earns about $45,646 a year, which makes that rent 30.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental assistant afford in Lima?

Using the 30% rule, a dental assistant salary in Ohio (~$45,646/yr) supports up to $1,141 a month in rent. Lima's current median rent is $1,176/mo, which is $35/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental assistant work to cover rent in Lima?

At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a dental assistant in Ohio works roughly 53.6 hours a month to cover Lima's median rent of $1,176.

Where is rent cheaper than Lima for a dental assistant?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Westerville ($1,173/mo), Dayton ($1,173/mo), Bedford ($1,173/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental assistant salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Ohio state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Lima, OH. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.