Real Estate Investing in Cincinnati, Ohio (45206)

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

Hamilton County • Population: 10,387 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 45206 (Cincinnati, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 15.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Cincinnati, OH (45206)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $253,281
Avg Monthly Rent $1,533
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,190
% Renters 64.3%

Market Analysis: 45206 Cincinnati

This part of Hamilton County is not an easy win. The 45206 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $253K asset, 45206 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 45206 among OH's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 45206 ZIP's population of 10,387 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 45206 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $253K 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 Cincinnati:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,533/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 45206

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$86,940/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $149,006 $950 4.6% +2.7% $149,006
2BR $243,841 $1,220 3.6% +3.7% $121,921
3BR $318,751 $1,610 3.6% +5.1% $106,250
4BR $347,762 $1,780 3.7% +4.2% $86,940
5BR $589,919 +5.6% $117,984

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$274K$241K$208K$176K$143K$110KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,643$1,515$1,388$1,260$1,132$1,005Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 45206 Compare?

Metric 45206 Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Ohio
Home Value $253,281 $262,113 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 1.5% 4.8% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,533 $1,409 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 45206? Click to expand

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

64% 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 45206 (Cincinnati, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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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
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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
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $253,281
Monthly Rent $1,533
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +16.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
15.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.5%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 45206

Population: 10,387

💰 Median Household Income
$51,190
This area
$51,190
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
64.3%
This area
64.3%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.2%
This area
48.2%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.8 years
This area
38.8 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.5%
Black/African American 37.2%
Other/Mixed 8.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Asian 3.3%
👶 Under 18
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.3%
This area
15.3%
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 45206

C+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
24.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,652 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Frederick Douglass School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A Very Good

Queen City Career Prep High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
75 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,541 Per Student
C Below Average

Dampe Community School

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
102 Students
👨‍🏫
21.5:1 Class Size
💰
$10,650 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Priority High School

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
170 Students
👨‍🏫
56.7:1 Class Size
💰
$9,607 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Dohn Community

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
1,675 Students
👨‍🏫
32.3:1 Class Size
💰
$10,478 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

St Bernard-Elmwood Place Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 4515 Tower Ave, Saint Bernard
👥
293 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$35,182 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Academy Of World Languages School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 2030 Fairfax Ave, Cincinnati
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bellevue High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 201 Center St, Bellevue
👥
330 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,733 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rothenberg Preparatory Academy

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

St Bernard-Elmwood Place Junior/Senior High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 4615 Tower Ave, Saint Bernard
👥
338 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$35,182 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
Union Institute & University
1,098 students · 0.9 mi
C
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
765 students · 1.4 mi
C+
Gods Bible School and College
443 students · 1.4 mi
C+
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
43,338 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Xavier University
6,000 students · 1.6 mi
C
Art Academy of Cincinnati
259 students · 2.0 mi
C+
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science
457 students · 2.2 mi
D
Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training
68 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

What are home prices like in Cincinnati, OH?

Expect median prices around $253K in Cincinnati, OH. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

Is Cincinnati, OH a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Cincinnati, OH will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $253K median home values and $1,533/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Cincinnati, OH?

Tenant quality in Cincinnati, OH ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $1,533/mo.

What is the smart move for investors in Cincinnati, OH?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Cincinnati, OH. The numbers - $253K homes against $1,533/mo rents - support that play.

Is rental property easy to operate in Cincinnati, OH?

Cincinnati, OH falls under OH landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

You know 45206 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 45206 ranks in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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