Real Estate Investing in Columbus, Ohio (43204)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Franklin County • Population: 43,444 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 43204 (Columbus, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Columbus, OH (43204)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $201,902
Avg Monthly Rent $1,379
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,247
% Renters 48.0%

Market Analysis: 43204 Columbus

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Columbus's 43204 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $202K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 43204 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $202K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 43204 sits on the difficult end of the OH spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 43204 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Columbus averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 43204 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $202K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Columbus:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,379/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Columbus, OH Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
32 days
Average time to sell
Average
14.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Columbus, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 43204

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$61,352/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $171,092 $1,090 4.6% +8.1% $171,092
2BR $160,958 $1,300 5.8% +8.0% $80,479
3BR $210,618 $1,560 5.3% +7.3% $70,206
4BR $245,408 $1,750 5.1% +7.3% $61,352

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$220K$186K$151K$116K$82K$47KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,483$1,324$1,165$1,006$846$687Jan 2017Oct 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 43204 Compare?

Metric 43204 Columbus Columbus, OH Ohio
Home Value $201,902 $168,924 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 3.5% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,379 $1,426 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.3% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 43204? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 48% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 43204 (Columbus, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Franklin County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Associa RPM provides comprehensive HOA and condominium management services in the greater Columbus, Dublin, Cincinnati, and Dayton areas of Ohio. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Heart & Home Property Management offers services for single-family homes and multi-family properties in Columbus, including rentals and owner support. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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SBS Property Management provides management, maintenance, inspections, finances, and communications for Condominium and Homeowner Associations across Ohio. summary from their website

HOA
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbus, OH metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
42%
Days Pending
0/2
32 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $201,902
Monthly Rent $1,379
Price-to-Rent 12.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.2%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -1.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
9.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 43204

Population: 43,444

💰 Median Household Income
$58,247
This area
$58,247
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
48.0%
This area
48.0%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.2 years
This area
34.2 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.1%
Other/Mixed 15.7%
Black/African American 13.4%
Hispanic/Latino 9.3%
Asian 2.8%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.5%
This area
11.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.2%
This area
18.2%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 43204

B+ Avg School Grade
15 Schools
19.1:1 Avg Class Size
$18,738 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hilltonia Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
430 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Westmoor Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
400 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A Very Good

Burroughs Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A Very Good

West High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
773 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A Very Good

Valleyview Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
288 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A Very Good

Westgate Alternative Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
A Very Good

West Franklin Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
484 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,489 Per Student
A Very Good

West Broad Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
337 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Binns Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
294 Students
👨‍🏫
19.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,434 Per Student
B Good

Franklin Heights High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,377 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,489 Per Student
B Good

Columbus Preparatory and Fitness Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
21.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,031 Per Student
C+ Average

Great Western Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
674 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,547 Per Student
C+ Average

Columbus Preparatory Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
823 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,361 Per Student
C+ Average

Sullivant Avenue Community School

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
234 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,786 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Zenith Academy West

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
159 Students
👨‍🏫
39.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,901 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 9,181 Off-Campus Students
D
Academia Medical Institute
133 students · 0.8 mi
C+
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
712 students · 3.1 mi
B+
Ohio State University-Main Campus
60,046 students · 4.7 mi
C
Franklin University
8,697 students · 4.8 mi
C
Columbus College of Art & Design
918 students · 4.8 mi
C
Columbus State Community College
26,663 students · 4.9 mi
C+
Adult and Community Education-Hudson
37 students · 6.4 mi
D
Aveda Institute-Columbus
242 students · 7.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 9,181 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which real estate strategy fits Columbus, OH?

Columbus, OH investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($202K prices, $1,379/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What is the renter demographic in Columbus, OH?

Tenant demand in Columbus, OH is solid. The local workforce $1,379/mo rents across most rental classes.

How much rent can I charge in Columbus, OH?

Average rent in Columbus, OH is approximately $1,379/mo per month. Against $202K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Columbus, OH?

Occupancy in Columbus, OH runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,379/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the typical home price in Columbus, OH?

The median home value in Columbus, OH is roughly $202K. That puts it reasonable relative to the OH statewide average.

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How 43204 ranks in Columbus, OH

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