Anyone who’s lived in an Ohio town with a state university will tell you that they’re notorious for high rent rates, especially compared to towns without a university. And with more students enrolling in higher education and limited student rental inventory, prices are only going up, which is a bummer for college students on a budget. Choosing the right university now includes choosing a place with luxury yet affordable rental housing. So - have you ever wondered how Athens rental housing stacks up against other university towns across the state? Hint: We’re a pretty great choice for college students of any kind looking for great apartments that don’t require another giant loan to pay for.
The rent prices for this comparison are all sourced from Apartments.com. Let’s look at how renting an apartment in Athens compares to other public university towns in Ohio.
Akron
Major School(s): University of Akron, Kent State University
- Studio Apartments: $775
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $877
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1118
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1319
43% of rentable apartments in Akron fall at or below $700/month. The average rent increased 3.4% in the last year, based on data from July 2025.
Athens
Major School(s): Ohio University
- Studio Apartments: $988
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $940
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1156
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1453
62% of rentable apartments in Athens fall between $1000-1500/month, likely due to the massive 6 and 8-bedroom uptown rental homes you’ll find full of OU students! Rental rates in town have risen about 3.6% in the last year, which is a higher increase than Akron.
Bowling Green
Major School(s): Bowling Green State University
- Studio Apartments: $678
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $891
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1118
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1353
46% of the apartments in Bowling Green have a rent price of around $700-1000/month, which is a pretty steep increase from a couple of years ago. Monthly rent for off-campus students at BGSU has risen nearly 1.3% in the last year.
Cleveland
Major School(s): Cleveland State University
- Studio Apartments: $1219
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $1309
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1613
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $2168
30% of the rental inventory in Cleveland falls between $1000-1500/month, and the market has risen about 1.6% in the past year.
Cincinnati
Major School(s): University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University
- Studio Apartments: $1108
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $1114
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1408
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1710
About 31% of the apartments available to college students in Cincinnati fall between $700-1000/month, which represents an increase of about 2.1% over the last year.
Columbus
Major School(s): Ohio State University
- Studio Apartments: $1043
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $1165
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1363
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1555
Another historic hub full of big houses converted into off-campus student housing, 39% of rentals in Columbus fall between $1000-1500/month, which represents an increase of just over 2.4% in the last year.
Dayton
Major School(s): University of Dayton, Central State University, Wright State University
- Studio Apartments: $848
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $976
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1273
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1507
31% of apartments in Dayton fall at or below $700/month. The rental prices have only increased about 2.6% in the past year
Oxford
Major School(s): Miami University
- Studio Apartments: $2043
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $600
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $1793
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1294
43% of apartments in Oxford cost $700/month or less, and rent rates for college students have increased by 1.1% in 2025.
Portsmouth
Major School(s): Shawnee State University
- Studio Apartments: $448
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $508
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $575
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $672
Coming in as our most affordable Ohio town for off-campus living, virtually all the rental market in Portsmouth is under $700/month, and has risen only 1.7% in the last year. Perks of an Ohio River town! Kind of?
Toledo
Major School(s): University of Toledo
- Studio Apartments: $660
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $797
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $976
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1120
44% of apartments in Toledo rent for $700-1000/month, representing an increase of about 1.5% compared to last year, 2025.
Youngstown
Major School(s): Youngstown State University
- Studio Apartments: $603
- 1-Bedroom Apartments: $711
- 2-Bedroom Apartments: $865
- 3-Bedroom Apartments: $1074
40% of apartments available for local university students in Youngstown fall at $700/month or less. The rental rates at YSU have risen 2.3% compared to last year.
Advantages of Leasing an Apartment in Athens
Athens doesn’t do too poorly here when it comes to how much it costs to rent an apartment off campus. But even so, Athens apartments aren’t just about rental rates; there are so many things that make Athens, Ohio a special place to live. One of the most liberal towns in the state, the culture here is one of the most diverse you’ll find, especially considering how small the town is. You’ve got Hocking Hills State Park just up the road, which has views and hikes you just can’t beat. Then there’s Stroud’s Run State Park, where you can rent boats, swim at the beach, hike, paddleboard – any outdoor activity, really. We could go on and on; obviously, we love it here. But when you consider all the awesome things about life in and around Athens, and the fact that there’s such a wide array of apartments to rent where anyone on any budget can find something that fits them, it makes us feel lucky to be in this little corner of Ohio.
Kleinpenny Rentals: Apartments and Houses Near Uptown Athens
Whether you’re an OU student looking to move out of the school dorms or a family relocating to Athens, Kleinpenny Rentals has numerous rentals available for you to choose from. Even If you’re a large group of 8 friends, we have spacious 8-bedroom housing options for you. Our uptown Athens rentals are all well-maintained, perfect for you to build a life of independence outside of college.