Real Estate Investing in Cleveland, Ohio (44102)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 44102 (Cleveland, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 15.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Elevated poverty: 28.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
- Lower household income: $38,387 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
What’s happening in Cleveland, OH (44102)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 44102 Cleveland
The 44102 ZIP reports an healthy value-add profile — below-median pricing at $131K, a renter base of 67%, and room for operational improvement.
The worth a close look for angle here is forced equity, not market equity. ZIP 44102 rewards investors who can execute on scope, timeline, and tenant turnover.
Relative to OH, 44102 reads as a working-capital ZIP — prices below average, renter share elevated at 67%, and room for operator-led upside.
The resident base in 44102 runs younger and more tenure-renter than county averages. 67% of 40,178 households lease, which is the demand source for post-rehab rent lifts.
Value-add plays pencil in 44102 when three things line up: a sub-median purchase, a realistic rehab budget, and a post-rehab rent comp that stands up. All three are present in this ZIP.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cleveland:
Property Strategy for 44102
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $80,155 | $940 | 8.4% | +8.5% | $80,155 |
| 2BR | $152,581 | $1,130 | 5.3% | +6.8% | $76,291 |
| 3BR | $122,328 | $1,450 | 8.5% | +8.2% | $40,776 |
| 4BR | $137,266 | $1,550 | 8.1% | +7.0% | $34,316 |
| 5BR | $158,519 | — | — | +6.0% | $31,704 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 44102 Compare?
| Metric | 44102 | Cleveland | Cleveland-Elyria, OH | Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $130,961 | $85,662 | N/A | $237,530 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.5% | 3.2% | N/A | 7.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,318 | $1,306 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 7.9% | 8.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 44102 (Cleveland, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $130,961 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,318 |
| Price-to-Rent | 8.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✓ Passes |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 12.1% |
| Cap Rate | 7.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.6% ▲ |
The estimated cap rate (7.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 44102
Population: 40,178
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 44102
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 9,386 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland, OH a smart market for rental property?
Cleveland, OH scores 4.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $131K and rents near $1,318/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the smart move for investors in Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland, OH investors pursuing value-add and BRRRR deals. The underlying economics ($131K prices, $1,318/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
Are there BRRRR deals in Cleveland, OH?
BRRRR in Cleveland, OH is a strong. The interplay of $131K values and $1,318/mo rents creates reasonable refinance conditions.
Does Cleveland, OH meet the 1% rule for rental property?
Cleveland, OH delivers a 1.01% rent-to-price ratio on average. Investors targeting the 1% rule will find solid opportunities.
How strong are rents in Cleveland, OH?
Rental rates in Cleveland, OH average $1,318/mo. Tenant demand and $131K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
You know 44102 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 44102 ranks in Cleveland-Elyria, OH
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