CINCINNATI, Ohio — Many people begin the new year focusing on goals like hitting the gym or taking control of their mental health. It’s also a prime opportunity for renters to find their next home. 

What You Need To Know

  • A recent study from Redfin found that the median price for rent in Cincinnati jumped 15% in January compared to the same month last year

  • The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati said they receive requests daily for rent and utility assistance

  • Zillow reports that the average rent for all property types in Cincinnati this month is $1,350

A recent study by national real estate brokerage, Redfin, found that the median price for rent in Cincinnati jumped 15% in January compared to the same month last year. 

“Most places you go, the rent goes up $50 to $100 bucks every year,” Cincinnati Tenant Union's Kevin Hengehold said.  

That’s the situation many renters in the Buckeye State are now up against. According to RentCafe’s recent rental activity report, Ohio’s three largest metro areas were in the Top 20 in-demand cities for rentals in January. Cincinnati landed in the fourth spot. Researchers found that things like lower cost of living and job market growth contributed to the Queen City’s attractiveness. All the while, the ratio of prospective renters to available units was 10:1 by the last quarter of 2024. 

“A lot of times it's so hard because there's just not a lot of options out there. I say do as much research as you can,” Henglehold said. 

The Cincinnati Tenants Union connects with tenants to learn about issues they’re facing and educate them on what rights they have. Henglehold said the rent increases highlight the continued concerns over housing affordability. 

“People will do almost anything not to be homeless. People are paying up even when it's a huge percentage of their income," Hengehold said.  

“Our hope is to keep families out of a crisis. With the inflation levels we're seeing lately, we are hearing from more and more families that are having grave concerns,” said Mahor Martha Bone, Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati director of operations. 

Bone said they provided more than 2,000 households with rent and utility assistance last year. As requests continue coming in daily, she said the help they can provide currently is limited, but they’re doing what they can to keep families in their homes. 

“Thankfully, due to what came in during our holiday program, the Salvation Army's pennies and dollar bills collected in our red kettles have been hugely helpful as well as donations,” Major Bone said.  

Some relief could be on the horizon. Zillow reports that the average rent for all property types in Cincinnati for March is $1,350, down from the high of $1,420 in January. 

According to Zillow, Columbus takes the cake for the highest median rent average this month at $1,500. Cleveland actually ranks in with the lowest average, sitting at $1,200. 

The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati has a variety of resources available for families in need, including the Pathway of Hope program. To find out more click here.