Ohio Investment Properties: Rentals for Sale + Where to Buy

Looking to buy a rental property in Ohio? You’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll show you actual Ohio investment properties (with real numbers and projections), six steps for buying a rental property, and some of the top markets to invest in!

Summary:

• While many Ohio markets have declining populations, cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Delaware are still growing and are great areas to invest.

• Turnkey rentals are some of the best investments, as they often have property management in place and may cash flow faster than other properties.

• Rent to Retirement has operated in Ohio for years, providing turnkey properties that often include free management, rent and closing credits, and other benefits.

Browse turnkey Ohio investment properties!

Cash-Flowing Ohio Investment Properties

Rent to Retirement has cash-flowing investment properties across many Ohio markets, like Akron, Canton, and others. We have new inventory every day, so be sure to check out our turnkey rental properties for sale page for new listings. Below are some of our past sold properties and their projected returns!

17% Estimated ROI Turnkey SFR

This four-bedroom rental property in Akron had an estimated 17% return on investment (ROI). Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:

Only $135,000

This rental property was listed for just $135,000, which is much less than you’d pay for most rental properties in many markets. As of February 2026, the average home price in the U.S. is roughly $357,000!

Rehabbed and Tenant-Ready

This recently renovated property (photo was taken before rehab) was vacant and came with free property management in year one. Rent to Retirement offered to cover the mortgage payment if management didn’t have the property leased out within the first 30 days!

$2,000 Closing Credit

At closing, the buyer received a $2,000 credit, significantly reducing their closing costs (and cash investment!).

$410/Month Estimated Cash Flow Turnkey SFR

This four-bedroom rental property in Canton has an estimated monthly cash flow of $410, which is much more than you can get from many single-family homes—especially one at this price point!

20% Estimated ROI

With depreciation, this property had an estimated return on investment (ROI) of 20% in its first year!

Free Property Management for a Year!

This turnkey rental came with free property management in year one. While the property was vacant at closing, Rent to Retirement offered to cover the mortgage payment if it wasn’t rented out within the first 30 days.

Renovated - Roof, Windows, Kitchen, and More!

This property was recently renovated, so it was ready to lease out after closing. The scope of work included windows, roof, kitchen, two bathrooms, basement, flooring, and much more!

Schedule a free consultation with an investment property expert today!

Why Buy Ohio Investment Properties?

What makes Ohio markets some of the best places to buy a rental property? There are several reasons why investors prefer to invest here:

Affordable Homes (and Rents)

As of February 2026, Ohio’s average home price is $234,035, which is significantly below the national average. Meanwhile, its average rent of only $1,700 is below the national average of $1,995, making Ohio an affordable state for buyers and renters alike.

Cash Flow (High Rent-to-Price Ratio)

While rising home prices and high interest rates have made it difficult to profit in many markets, Ohio is a rare cash-flowing state. Several major cities have rent-to-price ratios above 0.5% (including Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, and others).

Growing Submarkets

Although many investors skip over Ohio due to statewide population declines, many markets are seeing strong growth. Cities like Cincinnati, Delaware, Reynoldsburg, and Grove City are all growing!

Investing in Ohio? Buy Turnkey!

Whether you’re an Ohio local or an out-of-state investor, there are several reasons to buy turnkey:

Fully Renovated Properties

Don’t want to deal with difficult rehabs or holding costs? Turnkey rentals are fully renovated, meaning they can be rented out as soon as you close and require less upkeep than the average property.

Managed and Tenant-Ready

Rent to Retirement’s turnkey rentals come with property management (sometimes free in year one) and can be rented out as soon as you close. For some properties, our team will even cover your mortgage payment if the property isn’t leased within 30 days!

Rent and Closing Credits

Depending on the property, Rent to Retirement may offer thousands in rent and closing credits. This effectively lowers your upfront investment, boosts your ROI, and puts more cash back in your pocket!

Trusted Experience

Rent to Retirement has been operating in Ohio for years, and we have the experience, network, and resources to help make your next rental property a success. Having an Ohio expert in your corner makes an enormous difference, especially when investing remotely.

Best Markets to Buy Ohio Investment Properties

Many Ohio markets boast below-average home prices and sizable cash flow potential. Here are some of the top markets in 2026:

1. Canton

While home prices have stalled out in many areas of the country (largely due to affordability), Canton home prices are up 31.6% from January 2025 (as of February 2026). Even after appreciation, Canton real estate is very affordable, with an average home price of only $162,807 and rents averaging $1,200 a month. What’s more, the Canton–Massillon metro was ranked fourth overall in a recent housing market report by The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com, which evaluates the nation’s top 200 metro areas based on current market conditions, economic health, and overall livability.

Average home and rent prices as of February 2026.

2. Akron

While Akron’s average home price is slightly up year-over-year, it has declined in recent months, providing a clear window to potentially buy the dip on your next rental property. Meanwhile, rent prices are holding relatively steady at $1,211. Akron’s job market is expected to see a significant boost, with three major projects contributing nearly 1,300 new jobs and $65 million in payroll across Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

Average home and rent prices as of February 2026.

Browse cash-flowing Ohio investment properties in Canton and Akron!

3. Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s average home price of $240,551 still falls well below the national average, while the average rent price is $2,080. Despite people leaving many Ohio markets, Cincinnati has seen modest population growth and has the state’s largest gross domestic product (GDP). The area’s biggest economic drivers include business and professional services, healthcare and biohealth, and manufacturing. Meanwhile, Kroger, Procter & Gamble, and GE Aerospace—all Fortune 500 companies—are headquartered in Cincinnati.

Average home and rent prices as of February 2026.

4. Cleveland

Cleveland stands out as one of Ohio’s most affordable metro areas for real estate investing. With an average home price of just $111,060 and an average rent price of $1,494, it boasts a high rent-to-price ratio and strong cash flow potential. Cleveland’s population has declined since the 1950s but is finally leveling out, logging positive growth in back-to-back years.

Average home and rent prices as of February 2026.

Worried About Population Loss? Hear This

Many Midwest markets have declining populations, and that’s also true of Ohio. But it’s important to dig deeper, as many of its cities are growing—even larger markets like Cincinnati. When analyzing a market, ensure the cities and neighborhoods you’re investing in are either stable or growing, or target the lowest-declining neighborhoods.

How to Buy Your First Ohio Real Estate Investment

Eager to start investing in the Ohio housing market? Follow these steps to buy your first property:

1. Talk to a Turnkey Provider

Whether you’re investing locally or remotely, turnkey properties are some of the best investments. Connect with a turnkey provider and determine if it’s right for your goals and strategy. Rent to Retirement is the top-rated turnkey company on BiggerPockets and has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB)!

2. Browse Properties for Sale

Narrow down the area(s) you want to invest in, create your buy box, and start looking at properties. Rent to Retirement has turnkey rental properties for sale, with new Ohio inventory added regularly!

3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Next, you’ll need to connect with a mortgage lender and determine what you can afford. With our network of investor-friendly lenders, Rent to Retirement can help you find the right type of loan with a great investment property mortgage rate.

4. Run Numbers and Make Offers

Using our rental property calculator, you can quickly determine if a property fits your investing goals. If the numbers work, go ahead and make an offer!

Try our FREE rental property calculator to analyze properties in minutes!

5. Perform Due Diligence (Prepare to Close)

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll want to get ready to close. Schedule an inspection, line up your landlord insurance, and confirm your lender has everything they need.

6. Close and Cash Flow!

After closing, you may still need to renovate, hire a property manager, and find tenants before the property can generate income. But with a turnkey rental, the heavy lifting is already done. Your property manager handles leasing out the property and collecting rent checks!

Ready to Invest in Ohio? Rent to Retirement Can Help

Want to buy a cash-flowing rental property without all the headaches that come with being a landlord in Ohio? Buy a turnkey property! Rent to Retirement has renovated, tenant-ready rental properties for sale in some of the best Ohio markets. With property management already in place, we make it a breeze to invest out of state or scale your portfolio faster!

Ohio Investment Properties FAQs

Is Ohio a Good State to Invest in Real Estate?

Like other Midwest states, Ohio has more affordable home prices and better cash flow potential than many other regions of the country. It’s also one of the more landlord-friendly states, making things easier for remote investors!

Where to Invest in Property in Ohio?

There are many strong Ohio markets to choose from, particularly if your goal is cash flow. While some markets are seeing population declines, many are still growing, like Cincinnati and Columbus. Make sure you properly analyze a market (as well as the property itself) before investing there!

What’s a Rent-to-Price (RTP) Ratio?

Rent-to-price (RTP) ratio measures how much rental income a property will generate relative to its purchase price. To calculate the rent-to-price ratio, divide the property’s monthly gross rent by the purchase price (or value) and multiply that number by 100. For example, if a property costs $250,000 and rents for $2,000, it has a rent-to-price ratio of 0.8% ($2,000 / $250,000 * 100 = 0.8%).