Ohio workers need to make more than $22 per hour to afford 2-bedroom apartment

Full-time workers in Ohio need to earn at least $22.51 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, according to the 2025 Out of Reach report released Thursday by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO).

The report highlights a growing disparity between renters' income and the cost of rent, which has more than doubled since the pandemic began in 2020.

The average Ohio renter currently earns $18.62 per hour, falling $3.89 short of the required Housing Wage for a two-bedroom apartment. This gap has widened significantly from $1.57 per hour in 2020, marking a 148% increase over five years.

The Housing Wage is calculated as the hourly wage needed to afford a rental home at HUD's Fair Market Rent without spending more than 30% of income on housing.

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The report also reveals that only four out of the 15 most common jobs in Ohio pay more than the 2025 Housing Wage, leaving nearly 1.2 million jobs, or 21% of all jobs in the state, unable to cover the cost of a basic two-bedroom apartment.

In certain areas, the Housing Wage is even higher, with Columbus requiring $27.79 per hour, Cincinnati $24.75, and Cleveland $23.23.

"I just, I can't even imagine having to try to earn a living that would pay for something, just for basic housing," said Sarah Cummings.

She's a homeowner in Central Ohio and tells WSYX she's seen homes for rent in her neighborhood cost more per month than her mortgage.

"It's wild to think that it's cheaper to pay at least what we got our house for, to pay our mortgage, than to rent a home," she said.

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Amy Riegel, Executive Director of COHHIO, noted that while wages have increased somewhat, rent prices have surged at a faster rate.

"The cost of rent is squeezing working Ohioans like never before. Rent now consumes so much of the income that people need to survive," she said. "That’s why homelessness has been increasing and we’re seeing more and more seniors wind up in the homeless system."

The report indicates that Ohio's Housing Wage has risen by 40.7% since 2020, outpacing most renters' income growth. For instance, the median wage for home health aides increased by $3.34, whereas the Housing Wage for a two-bedroom apartment rose by $6.52 over the past five years.

Riegel acknowledged state efforts to improve wages for home health aides but emphasized the ongoing challenges.

"The state has taken steps to improve home health aides’ pay to care for Ohio’s growing senior population. But home health aides still can’t afford to live near many of their clients, and they can’t afford the food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare they need to keep working," she said. "Every year, the housing market keeps pushing people closer and closer to the breaking point."

Riegel commended legislators for maintaining the Ohio Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and preserving the Ohio Housing Trust Fund in the recent biennial budget. However, she urged state policymakers to consider further investments to protect vulnerable Ohioans.

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On a federal level, housing assistance is under threat as the Trump Administration has proposed significant cuts to HUD's funding and the elimination of rental assistance programs.

Renee Willis, President and CEO of NLIHC, stressed the importance of housing as a fundamental need.

"Housing is more than just a shelter; it is foundational to well-being and dignity," she said. "This year’s Out of Reach report shows that, despite economic gains for some, low-income renters continue to face impossible choices between paying rent and meeting basic needs. Cutting federal housing investments would only deepen the housing crisis. Congress must protect and expand housing programs that ensure stability, opportunity, and a pathway out of poverty for millions of renters."