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Apartments for Rent in Cleveland, OH under $500 – 3 Rentals available

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Renter's Guide to Cleveland

Cleveland, otherwise known as “the Forest City,” is a major industrial center for the Midwest and sits at the border of Lake Erie, as the second most populous city in the state of Ohio. People flock to Cleveland for the world-renowned medical facilities, fantastic sports teams, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The cost of living is low, making it an ideal location to settle down.

Cleveland is a centrally located city, giving it easy access to other cities and offering residents a short commute time. Cleveland is just under 3 hours driving time to Detroit, Michigan and about two hours to drive to Toledo, Ohio. Big city Chicago is five-and-a-half hours away. Cleveland is a great place to live if you enjoy experiencing all four seasons. Clevelanders experience it all with summer humidity, fall coolness, winter chill and spring rain.

SmartAsset named Cleveland as one of the “25 Best Cities for New College Grads,” due to job prospects, low cost of living, and ease of travel around the city. Travel and Leisure also listed Cleveland #12 out of 20 “Most Cultured Cities in America.”

Cleveland, OH Demographics

  • Total Population385,282
  • Female 185,274
    Male 200,008
  • Median Age36.3

Cost of Living in Cleveland, OH

Cleveland was once one of the wealthiest cities in America and since the population has actually decreased since that time, you can rent large and spacious homes in Cleveland on the cheap. A normal 900-square-foot apartment would cost just over $1,000 per month. Utilities are about $150 per month.

A meal for two, including drinks, costs from $30 to  $50, depending on the restaurant. A single fare transit pass from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority costs $2.50 or $1.25 for seniors or the disabled. A monthly transit pass costs $95 and the public transportation system in Cleveland is excellent. Most commuters only spend about 23 minutes traveling to work, more than two minutes below the national average—which means more time for relaxing at home.

Average Rent in Cleveland, OH

  • Cleveland, OH Average Rental Price, May 2021 $1,155 /mo

    Cleveland, OH Apartment Rent Ranges

    • < $5001%
    • $501-$70015%
    • $701-$1,00036%
    • $1,001-$1,50025%
    • $1,501-$2,00015%
    • > $2,0008%

    Cleveland, OH Rent Trends

    Average Rent Mar / 2018 Jul / 2018 Nov / 2018 Mar / 2019 Jul / 2019 Nov / 2019 Mar / 2020 Jul / 2020 Nov / 2020 Mar / 2021 May / 2021
    Cleveland, OH $1,020 $1,053 $1,068 $1,076 $1,101 $1,098 $1,129 $1,132 $1,122 $1,147 $1,155
    National $1,314 $1,345 $1,354 $1,358 $1,390 $1,397 $1,400 $1,392 $1,396 $1,407 $1,428
    /

    Check out the average rent prices in Cleveland by neighborhood.

    Living in Cleveland, OH

    Cleveland City is on the up and up. This city has a bit of a rough past, with pollution problems leading to a major fire on the local section of the Cuyahoga river, economic cycles that go up and down, and the cloudy climate here, giving birth to a group of naysayers. But those who choose to stay in Cleveland love their city fiercely. Cleveland has poured money into urban renewal programs in recent years and has vamped up the cultural core of their downtown. The cost of living makes big, beautiful homes affordable. The hospitals in Cleveland, especially Cleveland Clinic, are some of the best in the country. Plus, the city is full of arts, culture, and sports fans like you wouldn’t believe.

    Cleveland is a big city with people from all different ethnicities. The 2010 census shows that about half of the city’s residents is African American, with a slightly smaller white population, and the remainder of the total being shared by Hispanic residents and a very small Asian community.

    Things to do in Cleveland

    The most popular tourist destination in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum designed by I. M. Pei. The iconic spot is filled with music exhibits, memorabilia, and some of the coolest artifacts from rock and roll that you’ll ever see. If you liked the movie, “A Christmas Story,” check out the actual house used for filming—you can even take a tour of the interior.

    If you like to get outside, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo or Cleveland Botanical Garden are great spots to enjoy nature and wildlife. You could also fish or raft the nearby Cuyahoga River, enjoying the lakes and waterfalls along the way. Euclid Beach Park is a great place to experience a concert, amusement park, and beach all in one.

    If markets are your thing, check out West Side Market, a busy indoor/outdoor market filled with fresh produce, meats, flowers, and more. Cleveland has a fantastic food scene mostly due to Iron Chef Michael Symone having his bistro, “Lola,” in Cleveland.

    As far as the arts go, Cleveland has got it all. Playhouse Square is the best place for live local theater. The Cleveland Museum of Art has famous works that span more than 6,000 years. The Great Lakes Science Center is a fantastic place for curious kids and it even houses a historic Great Lakes freight ship. Finally, the Cleveland Orchestra is known as one of the best orchestras in the world.

    Sports are big in Cleveland and the fans go crazy for their hometown teams. The Cleveland Indians MLB team plays at Progressive Field. The Cleveland Browns, an NFL team, plays at the FirstEnergy Stadium, located on the waterfront. The Cleveland Cavaliers play at the Quicken Loans Arena. Finally, Cleveland also has an ice hockey team called the Cleveland Monsters who also play at Quicken Loans Arena.

    Employment and Economy

    Railways, canals, and a location smack dab in the middle of the United States has made Cleveland an economic boomtown for a very long time. Of course, this city was founded in manufacturing, but now thrives off the top-notch medical care programs. The Cleveland Clinic is the city’s number one employer, with a workforce of more than 37,000. Steel is manufactured largely here, and many international companies, like Applied Industrial Technologies, Sherwin-Williams, and Forest City Enterprises, among others, calling Cleveland home. Cleveland is also noted for their biotechnology and fuel cell research programs, many of which take place at Case Western Reserve University.

    Cleveland, OH Households

    • Total Number of Households170,549
    • Family 82,158
      Non-family 88,391
    • Children 44,176
      No Children 126,373
    • Average People Per Household2.18
    • Median Household Income$30,907
    • Median Housing Costs Per Month$716

    Education in Cleveland

    The Cleveland Metropolitan School District houses 127 schools and is the largest school district in Ohio. One mile of Cleveland is part of Shaker Heights School District for Shaker Heights residents. Case Western Reserve University is a world-renowned teaching and research university. Cleveland also has Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland State University, and Cleveland Institute of Music.

    Cleveland, OH Education Statistics

    • No High School5%
    • Some High School46%
    • Some College26%
    • Associate Degree7%
    • Bachelor Degree11%
    • Graduate Degree6%

    Tips for Renting in Cleveland

    In the state of Ohio, landlords must disclose information about anyone who is authorized to act on the landlord’s behalf. Also, there is no max amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit, but a landlord must return the deposit to a renter who is moving out within 30 days. State law prohibits raising the rent as a way to discriminate or retaliate against tenants.