Real Estate Investing in Columbus, Ohio (43240)

Delaware County • Population: 7,287 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 43240 (Columbus, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Columbus, OH (43240)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $340,837
Avg Monthly Rent $1,437
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $88,289
% Renters 73.1%

Market Analysis: 43240 Columbus

The 43240 ZIP covers a section of Columbus that demands careful diligence. Prices near $341K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 43240 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In practical terms, 43240 offers a low basis, the region around Columbus has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 43240 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 43240 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Columbus:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,437/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Columbus, OH Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
23 days
Average time to sell
Fast
13.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Columbus, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 43240

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$109,486/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $241,838 $1,750 5.2% +4.7% $120,919
3BR $359,618 $2,100 4.2% +6.9% $119,873
4BR $437,944 $2,360 3.9% +6.9% $109,486

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$356K$312K$268K$224K$180K$137KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,629$1,554$1,480$1,405$1,331$1,256Dec 2021Mar 2024May 2026

📊 How Does 43240 Compare?

Metric 43240 Columbus Columbus, OH Ohio
Home Value $340,837 $171,320 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 4.5% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,437 $1,431 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 43240? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

73% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 43240 (Columbus, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbus, OH metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
48%
Days Pending
0/2
23 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $340,837
Monthly Rent $1,437
Price-to-Rent 19.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -8.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
3.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 43240

Population: 7,287

💰 Median Household Income
$88,289
This area
$88,289
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
73.1%
This area
73.1%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.6%
This area
47.6%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.3 years
This area
33.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 58.3%
Asian 24.6%
Black/African American 14.3%
Other/Mixed 2.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.1%
👶 Under 18
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.0%
This area
8.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 43240

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B Good

Alum Creek Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2515 Parklawn Dr, Lewis Center
👥
670 Students
👨‍🏫
21.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,456 Per Student
B Good

Freedom Trail Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 6743 Bale Kenyon Rd, Lewis
👥
649 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,456 Per Student
B Good

Glen Oak Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 7300 Blue Holly Dr, Lewis Center
👥
660 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,456 Per Student
B Good

Oak Creek Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1256 Westwood Dr, Lewis Center
👥
651 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,456 Per Student
B Good

Olentangy Meadows Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 8950 Emerald Hill Drive, Lewis
👥
603 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,456 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
C
Pontifical College Josephinum
73 students · 2.6 mi
C
Otterbein University
2,357 students · 2.8 mi
D
American Institute of Alternative Medicine
393 students · 3.0 mi
C
Dental Assistant Pro LLC-Columbus
10 students · 3.6 mi
C+
Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
175 students · 3.8 mi
D
Felbry College
214 students · 3.8 mi
C
The Spa School
117 students · 5.8 mi
D
Hondros College of Nursing
3,091 students · 6.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Columbus, OH?

Rent in Columbus, OH is around $1,437/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $341K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What are vacancy rates like in Columbus, OH?

Rental vacancy in Columbus, OH is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is real estate in Columbus, OH a good investment right now?

Columbus, OH clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $341K and average rents around $1,437/mo. That combination puts it in the resilient tier for investor interest.

What investment strategy works best in Columbus, OH?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Columbus, OH. The numbers - $341K homes against $1,437/mo rents - support that play.

Does house hacking make sense in Columbus, OH?

House hacking in Columbus, OH is a challenging. With home values around $341K and rents at $1,437/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

See what 43240 really looks like for investors

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