Market Analysis
Columbus, Ohio
Rental investment market data and analysis · Updated June 2026
Median Home Price
$354,950
Average Monthly Rent
$1,447
Estimated Cap Rate
4.9%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
0.4%
Below 1% Rule
Market Trends
Columbus metro area — % change since 2018
Home Prices
+86.2%
Rent Index
+36.2%
Average Rent by Bedroom
| Bedrooms | Avg Rent |
|---|---|
| Apartment | $1,207/mo |
| Condo | $1,438/mo |
| Townhouse | $1,698/mo |
| Multi-Family | $1,756/mo |
| Single Family | $2,050/mo |
Sample Investment Analysis
Based on median price + average rent, 20% down, 6.8% rate, 30yr
Purchase Price$354,950
Down Payment (20%)$70,990
Monthly P&I$1,851
Monthly Rent$1,447
Est. NOI$10,418/yr
Est. Cash Flow-$983/mo
Cash on Cash-15.1%
The Columbus market is cash-flow negative at median prices. Look for properties 15-20% below median or with value-add potential.
What Investors Should Know About Columbus
- 1Compressed cap rates below 5% — focus on appreciation or value-add deals
- 21% Rule fails at median prices — need rent of $3,550/mo to pass
- 3Below-average rents keep entry costs low for new investors
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