Real Estate Investing in Cincinnati, Ohio (45255)

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

Hamilton County • Population: 22,760 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 45255 (Cincinnati, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Cincinnati, OH (45255)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $361,044
Avg Monthly Rent $1,621
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $81,719
% Renters 32.9%

Market Analysis: 45255 Cincinnati

ZIP 45255 in Cincinnati, OH carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $361K and rents of $1,621/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 45255 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Within OH, ZIP 45255 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Hamilton County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

A notable renter share of 33% in 45255 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 45255 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,621/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
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 45255

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$98,157/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $204,808 $1,570 5.5% +8.3% $102,404
3BR $294,472 $2,070 5.1% +7.7% $98,157
4BR $424,719 $2,290 3.9% +7.5% $106,180
5BR $717,548 +7.7% $143,510

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$382K$334K$285K$237K$188K$140KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,738$1,702$1,665$1,629$1,593$1,556Feb 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 45255 Compare?

Metric 45255 Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Ohio
Home Value $361,044 $262,113 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 4.8% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,621 $1,409 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 45255? Click to expand

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

📊 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 45255 (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
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
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $361,044
Monthly Rent $1,621
Price-to-Rent 18.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
4.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 45255

Population: 22,760

💰 Median Household Income
$81,719
This area
$81,719
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.9%
This area
32.9%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.2%
This area
50.2%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.5 years
This area
44.5 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.3%
Black/African American 4.5%
Other/Mixed 4.1%
Asian 2.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
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 45255

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
17.4:1 Avg Class Size
$14,336 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Ayer Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
574 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,336 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Summit Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
515 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,336 Per Student
B Good

Anderson High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,177 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,336 Per Student
B Good

Nagel Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
1,075 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,336 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B Good

Clough Pike Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 808 Clough Pike, Cincinnati
👥
500 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,479 Per Student
B Good

Locust Corner Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3431 Locust Corner Rd, Cincinnati
👥
367 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,485 Per Student
B Good

Merwin Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1040 Gaskins Rd, Cincinnati
👥
581 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,479 Per Student
B Good

Summerside Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4639 Vermona Dr, Cincinnati
👥
576 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,479 Per Student
B Good

Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 3950 Britton Boulevard, Cincinnati
👥
530 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,479 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 2,742 Off-Campus Students
C
Athenaeum of Ohio
166 students · 2.9 mi
C
University of Cincinnati-Clermont College
8,324 students · 7.3 mi
C+
Northern Kentucky University
14,961 students · 7.6 mi
D
Interactive College of Technology-Newport
73 students · 8.4 mi
D
Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training
68 students · 9.1 mi
D
Ohio Media School-Cincinnati
67 students · 9.9 mi
C
Union Institute & University
1,098 students · 10.1 mi
C+
Moler Hollywood Beauty Academy
76 students · 10.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,742 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Cincinnati, OH?

Expect median prices around $361K in Cincinnati, OH. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

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

In Cincinnati, OH the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $361K prices and $1,621/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Cincinnati, OH a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Cincinnati, OH rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Cincinnati, OH?

Expect elevated vacancy in Cincinnati, OH. Rents at $1,621/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Can I house hack in Cincinnati, OH?

Cincinnati, OH is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $361K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 45255 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 45255 ranks in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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