Cleveland
Investment Analysis

Cleveland, OH
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

Share:

City-level screening

13.7x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
7.3%
Recorded YoY field
-1.3%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$150,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$913/mo
Median Income
$39,041
Population
362,670

Housing Screening Context

Cleveland has a computed screening multiple of 13.7x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 7.3%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -1.3%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $913
Annual Gross $10,956

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$188
Insurance (~0.5%) -$63
Maintenance (~1%) -$125
Est. Net Cash Flow $538/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Cleveland Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$121K2027$129Kโ–ฒ 7.3%2028$134Kโ–ฒ 10.9%20232024Now
$140K$104K
Current
$150K
2026
Projected
$129K
โ†‘ 7.3% by 2027
Projected
$134K
โ†‘ 10.9% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+3.0%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.84
โ–ผ

Looking at the Cleveland housing market forecast through 2028, the data paints a picture of remarkable stability and value. With a median home price of just $111,059 and a price-to-rent ratio of 9.2x, the city offers a stark contrast to national affordability crises. While the recent YoY Price Change: -1.9% might raise eyebrows, it's better interpreted as a healthy market correction following the stronger 5-Year Price Change: 28.2%. This cooling, combined with a brisk Days on Market: 25, suggests a balanced environment rather than a downturn. For those asking will Cleveland home prices drop significantly, the answer appears to be no; the market's core fundamentals, including a strong Risk Grade: A and a Market Temperature: 68/100, point toward continued, modest growth.

Driving this stability are key local economic factors. Cleveland's affordability remains a primary draw, supported by a growing healthcare and biotech sector anchored by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. This provides a steady employment base, insulating the market from the volatility seen in tech-heavy coastal cities. The Median Rent: $913/mo makes renting an attractive option, but the Buy/Rent Verdict: BUY signals that purchasing is likely the better long-term financial move for building equity in this price range. For investors and residents eyeing Cleveland real estate Cleveland 2027, the city's ongoing downtown revitalization and infrastructure projects are poised to support gradual appreciation without the risky overheating of more speculative markets.

Ultimately, the forecast for 2026-2028 suggests a period of steady, sustainable growth rather than explosive gains. The 5-Year CAGR: 5.0% provides a realistic benchmark, and while external economic pressures could introduce minor headwinds, Cleveland's intrinsic affordability and diverse economic base act as a powerful buffer. Buyers should expect competition for well-priced homes, but not the bidding wars common elsewhere. A balanced assessment acknowledges that while the market is unlikely to see dramatic surges, its low risk and strong value proposition make it one of the most resilient and accessible major metros in the Midwest for the foreseeable future.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
5.2%
5yr CAGR
+3%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.8%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +0.8%

Healthcare

74
Score
Good

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 97.1%
Months Supply 3.0
Price Drops 28%
Gone in 2 Wks 48%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Cleveland.

Total ROI
-42%
on $30,000 invested
Annual ROI
-10.2%
compounded
Total Return
-$12,522
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$290
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y131kY233kY334kY435kY537k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$12,522
Final Equity
$37,032

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Cleveland

Property

Purchase Price$150,000
Monthly Rent$913
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$291
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$3,494/ year
-11.6%
Cash-on-Cash
3.7%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$913
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$758
โˆ’ Property Tax$150
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$125
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$46
= Net Cash Flow-$291

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$30,000
Loan Amount
$120,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$1,204
Gross Yield
7.3%

Investor Toolkit

Research Cleveland before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026