Rental Investing in Columbus, OH
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
6.5%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$250,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Per month
Population
905,748
+1.1% / yr (5y avg)
Calculate Your Return in Columbus
Pre-filled with Columbus's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
6.48%
Net Rental Yield
4.20%
Cap Rate
4.20%
Monthly Cash Flow
$874.17
Annual Cash Flow
$10,490.00
Market Overview
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Columbus provides solid rental yields of 6.5%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.
Strong population growth of 1.1% per year suggests increasing rental demand and a tightening supply-demand balance over time.
The vacancy rate of 5.4% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.
Investment Profile
Columbus offers the best of both worlds — above-average rental yields combined with strong population growth. These market conditions support both current cash flow and long-term appreciation potential.
✓ Strengths
- •Gross rental yield of 6.5% is above the national average
- •Population growth of 1.1% per year drives rental demand
- •Dual potential for rental income and price appreciation
! Risks
- •Investor competition can compress yields as prices rise
- •Rapid growth may put upward pressure on purchase prices
Key Metrics
How Columbus Compares
Columbus vs Cleveland: 3.5 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $120,000 | $1,000 | 10% | -0.5% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $220,000 | $1,200 | 6.5% | +0.3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $180,000 | $1,200 | 8% | -0.3% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $235,000 | $1,300 | 6.6% | +0.8% |
| Detroit, MI | $95,000 | $950 | 12% | -0.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental investing profitable in Columbus?▾
What is the average rental yield in Columbus?▾
How does Columbus compare to Cleveland for investors?▾
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Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.