ZIP Code · OH

ZIP 45042

Part of Middletown, OH

Pop. 27,652·Butler County·219th most expensive ZIP in Ohio

Median rent (all units)

$1,012/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.1%

vs US Median

-$920

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 45042 · $1,012

More affordable than 98% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$900

1 BR

$990

2 BR

$1,270

3 BR

$1,670

4 BR+

$1,850

Research median

$1,270/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Ohio

Rent in ZIP 45042 changed +9.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 Ohio ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($69,520) is $1,738 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,670); a 4-bedroom is $1,850.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 45042. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$12,144/yr

At $1,012/mo median

Location

CityMiddletown

StateOH

CountyButler County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 9.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.1% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 45042 (Middletown, OH) is majority owner-occupied, 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

27,652

Median income

$69,520

Median age

41.6

Renters

27.8%

Age distribution

22.3%

18.7%

24.5%

14.5%

20%

Under 1822.3%

18–3418.7%

35–5424.5%

55–6414.5%

65+20%

Gender

50.3%

49.7%

Male50.3%

Female49.7%

Race & ethnicity

88%

White88%

Black2.8%

Hispanic4%

Other4.7%

Education (25+)

36.2%

34.9%

21.2%

No HS diploma7.7%

HS diploma36.2%

Some college34.9%

Bachelor's+21.2%

Housing tenure

72.2%

27.8%

Owner72.2%

Renter27.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 45042 in Middletown, OH has changed in 5 years

Income

$58,236 → $69,520

up 19.4%

Population

28,216 → 27,652

down 2.0%

Renter share

31.3% → 27.8%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

19.9% → 21.2%

+1.3 pts

Median age

40.1 → 41.6

+1.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $58,236 to $69,520 across the same window, up 19.4% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 2.0% since 2021, moving from about 28,216 residents to roughly 27,652. Renters now make up 27.8% of households, compared with 31.3% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 45042

About renting in ZIP 45042

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 45042 covers Middletown, OH. The median rent here is $1,012/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $990/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,270/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($69,520/yr), ZIP 45042 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 45042?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (about $19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,012/mo in ZIP 45042. The local median household income is $69,520/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 45042?

Rent in ZIP 45042 has risen 9.1% over the past year.

How does ZIP 45042 compare to other ZIPs in Ohio?

ZIP 45042 is one of the more affordable among Ohio ZIP codes for rent, ranking #219 of 229 at $1,012/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 45042 changed +9.1%, against a typical +3.8% across the 190 Ohio ZIP codes Zillow tracks.