3 Ohio cities among those with the largest rent increases in the US. See which ones

Rent prices are increasing and it's one major Ohio city that leads the pack.

Ohio's rental market is heating up.

The typical rent price in America was up 3.5% year over year, at $2,054, according to Zillow data. Median rent prices for Ohio are $1,300, a $100 increase from a year ago. Still, it remains $850 less than the national median.

There is one city in Ohio where rent is rising faster than most other cities nationwide.

Cleveland rentals see some of the fastest growth in the U.S.

Zillow data found that Cleveland experienced one of the fastest rent price hikes in America at 7.2% since last summer. Only Hartford, Connecticut, had a bigger jump than Cleveland, at 7.8 %.

The typical rent in Cleveland increased to $1,447, per Zillow. That is hardly the highest rent in the country, it represents the second-biggest rent price jump over the last year. Other major cities, like New York City, San Francisco and Boston, led the nation in terms of the most expensive rental market.

Cincinnati, Columbus join Cleveland as Ohio cities with increased rent

Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio's other major cities, also saw sizable rent prices increase over the past year.

The typical rent price in Cincinnati is $1,542, which is 5.2% higher than last year and is 6.5% higher than Cleveland.

Columbus has the highest average rent among Ohio's largest cities at $1,559. That's a 4.7% increase over last year and is 7.7% higher than Cleveland.

Ohio's housing market is strong, though:See where Ohio ranks for affordable housing in the US

Why is rent growing so fast in Cleveland?

Zillow's chief economist, Skylar Olsen, said that because people tend to move during the summer, it drives the rental market, which heats up during that season of the year.

"Renters are being drawn to more affordable areas within the Northeast and Midwest," they said. The rise of a remote and hybrid work culture contributes to people being more willing to live further away from metropolitan areas. According to Olsen, "the savings seem worth it for many renters, even if it means an occasional painful commute."

How much do you need to rent a house in Ohio?

The median rent price in Ohio is $1,300, but house rentals fall between $100 and $119,000, according to Zillow's Ohio rental market analysis. As of July 17, 2024, there were more than 12,000 rentals available across the state.