Real Estate Investing in Cincinnati, Ohio (45202)

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

Hamilton County • Population: 17,022 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 45202 (Cincinnati, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (44/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.0% CAGR).

What’s happening in Cincinnati, OH (45202)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $387,138
Avg Monthly Rent $1,636
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,765
% Renters 76.1%

Market Analysis: 45202 Cincinnati

Stepping back, ZIP 45202 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $387K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 45202 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 45202 and stronger Cincinnati ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

On the rental side, 17,022 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 45202, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Cincinnati:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,636/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
29 days
Average time to sell
Fast
12.9%
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 45202

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+4.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$193,980/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $257,166 $1,580 4.4% +2.3% $257,166
2BR $387,961 $2,030 3.8% +2.3% $193,980
3BR $672,942 $2,680 2.9% +4.1% $224,314
4BR $865,682 $2,960 2.5% +4.0% $216,421

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$424K$380K$335K$290K$246K$201KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,681$1,558$1,435$1,313$1,190$1,067Sep 2016Aug 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 45202 Compare?

Metric 45202 Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Ohio
Home Value $387,138 $262,113 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 0.0% 4.8% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,636 $1,409 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 45202? Click to expand

76% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 45202 (Cincinnati, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 45202 (Cincinnati, OH)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Property managers serving Hamilton 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

Gaslight Property offers apartments for rent in Clifton, near UC. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $387,138
Monthly Rent $1,636
Price-to-Rent 19.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 3.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
17.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 45202

Population: 17,022

💰 Median Household Income
$86,765
This area
$86,765
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
76.1%
This area
76.1%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
64.6%
This area
64.6%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.1 years
This area
33.1 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 66.9%
Black/African American 22.4%
Other/Mixed 6.5%
Asian 4.3%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
👶 Under 18
9.5%
This area
9.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.3%
This area
10.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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 45202

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$20,319 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Rothenberg Preparatory Academy

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rising Stars at Vine

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
155 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
1,296 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Newport High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 900 E 6th St, Newport
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,289 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Newport Intermediate School

📚 03 – 06 School
📍 95 W. 9th Street, Newport
👥
361 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,289 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Newport Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 1102 York St, Newport
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,289 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

📚 03 – 12 High School
📍 2825 Alms Pl, Cincinnati
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Frederick Douglass School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 2627 Park Ave, Cincinnati
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 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 1,560 Off-Campus Students
C+
Gods Bible School and College
443 students · 0.5 mi
C
Art Academy of Cincinnati
259 students · 0.6 mi
C
Union Institute & University
1,098 students · 0.8 mi
C
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
765 students · 1.0 mi
D
Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training
68 students · 1.3 mi
C+
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
43,338 students · 1.7 mi
D
Interactive College of Technology-Newport
73 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science
457 students · 2.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,560 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Cincinnati, OH?

Investors in Cincinnati, OH typically see rents near $1,636/mo per month against $387K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Cincinnati, OH?

Expect elevated vacancy in Cincinnati, OH. Rents at $1,636/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Does Cincinnati, OH make sense for an investment property?

Our data puts Cincinnati, OH at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $387K and rents around $1,636/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Are homes affordable in Cincinnati, OH?

In Cincinnati, OH the median home value sits at $387K. Against the broader OH market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Which investment style suits Cincinnati, OH?

For Cincinnati, OH, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

You know 45202 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 45202 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 45202 ranks in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 45202 (Cincinnati)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 45202 (Cincinnati, OH).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.