Ohio
How much do full-time workers have to make hourly to afford a two bedroom apartment?
Basic tips for tenants and renters to avoid eviction in Columbus
Basic tips for tenants and renters trying to avoid eviction and landlord issues in Columbus, explained by Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio.
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
How much must Ohioans earn per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment? It might be more than you think.
Full-time workers must earn more than $20 per hour ($20.81) to afford a two-bedroom apartment, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.
That’s more than $40,000 a year. And, there’s a large gap between renters’ income and the cost of rent, according to the report.
In recent years, rent prices have increased rapidly, but income hasn’t kept pace. For instance, the so-called “housing wage” — or the amount workers must earn per hour to afford a two bedroom apartment — has increased 9% since last year.
Learn why evictions are rising: Eviction filings at 20-year high in Columbus, Franklin County and set to worsen
“Wages for Ohio’s most common jobs have increased significantly since the pandemic,” Ohio Coalition Executive Director Amy Riegel said in a media release. “Employers are trying to keep pace with inflation, but the skyrocketing cost of rent has effectively erased these wage gains, pushing affordable homes out of reach for a large swath of Ohio’s workforce.”
What jobs pay enough to afford rent in Ohio? Columbus? Cincinnati?
The report, called “Out of Reach Ohio,” shows that only two of the 10 jobs with the most employees in Ohio pay more than $20.81 per hour. Those are general operations managers and registered nurses.
Workers in some areas may have to make even more than $20.81 per hour, as rents are higher than the state’s average in some places.
Housing purchase: Columbus housing authority announces affordable housing coming to Columbus and Reynoldsburg
In Columbus, those wanting two-bedroom apartments must make $25.04 an hour to afford it. In Cincinnati, they have to make $22.98, and in Cleveland their income must be $21.31 per hour.
As rents rise, people lose their homes
Evictions are at a 20-year high and increasing in Franklin County this year, and Ohio landlords filed nearly 108,000 eviction cases in 2023. That’s more than any year since 2015, according to the report.
Meanwhile, homelessness increased 7% in Ohio from 2022 to 2023.
“Aging Ohioans and people with disabilities living on a fixed income are especially vulnerable to rent shock,” Riegel said in a release. Meanwhile, Social Security payments have increased only minimally in recent years.
“Ohioans who worked hard for 40 years or more should be enjoying their golden years. Instead, many are rationing medications and wondering how they’re going to feed themselves and pay the rent.”
How does Ohio’s housing wage measure up against other states?
The Out of Reach report also ranks states’ housing wages.
Ohio came in 41st, meaning 40 other states have higher housing wages. Still, Ohioans making minimum wage ($10.45 per hour in the state) would have to work 80 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
More: What’s the plan to help people afford housing as Columbus’ COVID rent assistance runs out?
West Virginia has the lowest housing wage, with those wanting a two-bedroom apartment needing to make $18.46 per hour. The state’s minimum wage is $8.75, so minimum-wage workers must work 84 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
California has the highest housing wage, at $47.38 per hour needed for a two-bedroom apartment. A minimum wage worker in that state earns $16 an hour and would have to work 118 hours per week to afford the same apartment.
What can be done about increasing rent?
Ohio’s budget last year included some early steps to address the state’s affordability crisis, Riegel said. But the state needs to do more, she said.
One of her suggestions? The Ohio Housing Trust Fund, the primary source of state funding for local housing and homelessness programs, should be strengthened.
“This year’s Out of Reach report shows that despite rising wages, cooling inflation, and low unemployment, low-wage workers and other renters continue to struggle with the high cost of rent,” said Diane Yentel, national coalition president and CEO, in a release.
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She urged Congress to tackle the housing affordability crisis, as it impacts the whole country, not just Ohio.
“Addressing the challenge requires long-term federal investments in affordable housing. As evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal policies and resources play a pivotal role in establishing a robust housing safety net, preventing evictions and homelessness, and mitigating housing instability among renters with the lowest incomes,” Yentel said. “Likewise, federal renter protections are needed to ensure decent, safe, and accessible living conditions for tenants around the country.”
dking@dispatch.com
@DanaeKing
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Ohio State Marion will highlight efforts to expand youth programming during the next Buckeye Talks on Tap event.
Ohio State Marion Director of Youth and Community Learning Tiffiny Rye-McCurdy will present “Growing Futures: Youth and Community Learning at Ohio State Marion” at 5:30 p.m. July 14, according to a community announcement. The free event is open to the public, with doors opening at 5 p.m. at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen inside Passenger & Rail Co., 320 W. Center St.
The discussion will focus on how a coordinated, multi-stage approach — from early curiosity through career exploration — can strengthen education and workforce pathways for students in the Marion region. The presentation will raise the question of how communities can intentionally connect experiences to support long-term student success, according to the announcement.
Event invites community input on youth program growth
The program will begin with a 20-to-30 minute overview of youth initiatives offered at Ohio State Marion, followed by an interactive discussion where attendees can share perspectives and suggest ways to expand programming.
Organizers say the topic is particularly relevant locally because it examines talent development, access and retention within the Marion area, according to the announcement.
Buckeye Talks on Tap events are designed to bring campus experts and community members together in informal settings such as restaurants and cafes. The series is inspired by the international Science Café movement and aims to create space for open dialogue on issues affecting the region.
Attendees can also participate in a question-and-answer session and will be entered into a door prize drawing provided by Marcie DeWitt of Anchor and Away Travel. Guests may purchase food and drinks during the event.
Programs span STEM, leadership and career exploration
Ohio State Marion offers a range of youth-focused initiatives, including Culture and Leadership Summer Camps, Engineering Summer Programs and STEM Summer Camps. Additional opportunities include workshops at the YMCA Recreation and Resource Center and the Pride and Life Skills Mentoring program.
Other programs highlighted include the Harding High School VEX V5 Robotics Competition, the Ohio State Marion/MTC Middle and High School Mathematics Challenge, The STEM Coding Project and Future Engineers: Hands-on STEM Experiences.
Career-focused programming includes 6th Grade STEAM Career Day, Career Pathways Preview: 8th Grade Edition and 11th Grade NextStep Visit Days, along with Empowering Youth Visions.
More information about these programs is available at osumarion.osu.edu.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio health leaders are urging people to take extra precautions when handling produce as cases of a parasitic illness causing “explosive diarrhea” are rising in the state.
There are nearly 200 cases of cyclosporiasis in Ohio, with more than 20 in Franklin County. The state sits only behind Michigan, where cases have topped a thousand.
Franklin County Medical Director Miller Sullivan said cases typically rise each summer because the parasite thrives in heat.
“If the water becomes contaminated with this organism, that’s how it gets into the food supply,” Sullivan said.
Officials have not identified the exact source of this outbreak, which is hitting states nationwide, but said the parasite is most commonly found in produce. They said simple steps when handling food can help prevent getting sick.
To help prevent the illness, Ohio Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables under running water and wash your hands with soap before and after preparing food.
“Prepare your food properly,” Vanderhoff said. “If you do that, you’re going to dramatically reduce the likelihood that you might acquire this infection.”
Health officials don’t think it’s necessary to avoid fresh produce.
“Go ahead and buy them,” Sullivan said. “Especially if you buy them from a store or a local farmer’s market. It should be fine, but wash them well.”
The disease is typically not life-threatening but can cause watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea. If left untreated, symptoms could return multiple times.
“You may begin to feel better, but then start getting sick again,” Vanderhoff said. “That’s really characteristic of this particular infection.”
Experts said to see a doctor as soon as you think you may be experiencing symptoms. It can be treated with antibiotics, which helps shorten the length of the illness, but added that prevention is the best way to stay healthy.
Where do bed bugs come from? How they get could get into your home
Does the thought of bed bugs keep you up at night? Here’s what to know.
Columbus remains one of the nation’s top cities for bed bug treatments, according to Orkin’s latest annual rankings, while Ohio continues to dominate the list more than any other state.
Orkin ranked Columbus eighth on its 2026 list of U.S. cities with the most bed bug treatments, the same position the city held last year. Cleveland ranked even higher at No. 4. Cincinnati came in at No. 15.
Overall, six Ohio cities made the Top 50, more than any other state: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Dayton and Toledo. The rankings are based on residential and commercial bed bug treatments Orkin performed between May 2025 and May 2026.
Chicago claimed the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis.
Ohio continues to rank high for bed bugs
Ohio’s strong showing on the list comes as the state has repeatedly appeared near the top of national pest rankings.
A recent USA TODAY report, citing an analysis by Casino.ca, estimated Ohio has the second-highest bed bug risk for travelers in the country, behind only Michigan.
The Orkin rankings do not measure the total number of bed bugs in a city. Instead, they reflect where the company performed the greatest number of residential and commercial treatments over the past year.
Columbus has dealt with bed bug sightings before
The rankings also follow several high-profile bed bug incidents in downtown Columbus government offices.
Last fall, The Dispatch reported a bed bug was discovered inside the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s downtown office, prompting treatment of the affected area.
The Dispatch also reported that employees at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation had reported bed bug sightings, leading to inspections and pest-control efforts.
Those incidents highlighted the challenges large office buildings face when dealing with pests that can hitch rides on clothing, backpacks and luggage rather than originating inside the buildings themselves.
It’s not just bed bugs
Bed bugs aren’t the only pests putting Columbus on Orkin’s radar.
In October 2025, Orkin ranked Columbus No. 21 on its annual “Rattiest Cities” list, a slight improvement from previous years but still among the nation’s leading metro areas for rodent treatments.
Taken together, the rankings suggest central Ohio remains a busy market for pest-control companies as the city holds steady on this year’s bed bug list.
Which Ohio cities made Orkin’s 2026 list?
Among Ohio cities, the rankings were:
- Cleveland– No. 4
- Columbus– No. 8
- Cincinnati– No. 15
- Youngstown– No. 32
- Dayton– No. 38
- Toledo– No. 42
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
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