Rental Investing in Cincinnati, OH

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

6.5%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

$220,000

As of 2026-Q1

Median Monthly Rent

$1,200

Per month

Population

309,317

+0.3% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Cincinnati

Pre-filled with Cincinnati's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.

Property Details

$

Total acquisition cost before taxes

$
$

HOA, insurance, property management

%

% of time the property is empty

%

% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

6.55%

Net Rental Yield

4.13%

Cap Rate

4.13%

Monthly Cash Flow

$756.67

Annual Cash Flow

$9,080.00

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
$190,000
2022
$245,000
2023
$229,000
2024
$224,000
2025
$220,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
$1,020
2022
$1,175
2023
$1,205
2024
$1,203
2025
$1,200

Cincinnati provides solid rental yields of 6.5%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.

Modest population growth of 0.3% per year indicates a stable but slowly growing rental market.

The vacancy rate of 6.8% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.

Investment Profile

Cash Flow Market

Cincinnati is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.

Strengths

  • High gross yield of 6.5% supports strong monthly cash flow
  • Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
  • Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing

! Risks

  • Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
  • Modest population growth limits long-term demand growth

Key Metrics

Gross Yield6.5%
Median Home Price$220,000
Median Monthly Rent$1,200
Population Growth+0.3% / yr
Vacancy Rate6.8%

How Cincinnati Compares

Cincinnati vs Columbus: 0.0 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
Columbus, OH$250,000$1,3506.5%+1.1%
Louisville, KY$210,000$1,2006.9%+0.3%
Indianapolis, IN$235,000$1,3006.6%+0.8%
Pittsburgh, PA$180,000$1,2008%-0.3%
Cleveland, OH$120,000$1,00010%-0.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Cincinnati?
Yes, Cincinnati offers a gross rental yield of 6.5%, which is above the national average of around 5–6%. With a median home price of $220,000 and median monthly rent of $1,200, the numbers support profitable rental investing — though your specific results depend on financing terms, expenses, and property management.
What is the average rental yield in Cincinnati?
The average gross rental yield in Cincinnati is approximately 6.5%, based on a median home price of $220,000 and median monthly rent of $1,200 (as of 2026-Q1). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Cincinnati compare to Columbus for investors?
Cincinnati has a gross yield of 6.5% compared to 6.5% in Columbus, a difference of 0.0 percentage points. Both markets offer similar yields. Columbus has stronger population growth (1.1% vs 0.3%).

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Cincinnati?

Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.

Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.