Investor-friendly real estate agents in Akron, OH
We match investors with vetted Akron-area agents who own rentals, run the numbers, and know the local rules. Free for investors.
Get matched in AkronVetted investor agents across the Akron metro
Akron is a smaller, slightly cheaper market than Cleveland, 40 miles north. Typical home values in the Akron metro (Summit and Portage counties) are about $240,000 and typical rent about $1,306, which works out to about 0.54% a month. That's under the 1% rule, but a rental bought below median can cash flow. The metro's population is about the same as in 2010, at roughly 702,000, and jobs are about where they were in 2007. The change is migration: after more than a decade of people leaving for other states, more Americans have moved in than out every year since 2022. Ohio is landlord-friendly, and the City of Akron requires annual rental registration and a separate certificate for short-term rentals. Our vetted agent partner covers Akron and Canton and owns 118 rental units himself, from single-family homes to small apartment buildings and college rentals.
Buy-and-hold houses in Akron and Canton, from a partner who owns 118 rental units himself.
Duplexes through fourplexes, and small apartment buildings of 5 to 30 units.
Student rentals, a niche our partner works directly.
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Is Akron worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Akron metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 703,057 |
| 2011 | 703,260 |
| 2012 | 702,223 |
| 2013 | 703,776 |
| 2014 | 705,090 |
| 2015 | 704,604 |
| 2016 | 703,787 |
| 2017 | 704,133 |
| 2018 | 703,815 |
| 2019 | 703,235 |
| 2020 | 701,686 |
| 2021 | 696,259 |
| 2022 | 697,697 |
| 2023 | 698,608 |
| 2024 | 700,152 |
| 2025 | 701,780 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | -1,863 |
| 2012 | -2,737 |
| 2013 | -777 |
| 2014 | -1,096 |
| 2015 | -2,498 |
| 2016 | -2,873 |
| 2017 | -884 |
| 2018 | -1,167 |
| 2019 | -1,627 |
| 2020 | -2,127 |
| 2021 | -4,244 |
| 2022 | +2,391 |
| 2023 | +678 |
| 2024 | +465 |
| 2025 | +1,155 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 316,500 |
| 2011 | 319,700 |
| 2012 | 324,100 |
| 2013 | 325,500 |
| 2014 | 331,800 |
| 2015 | 336,900 |
| 2016 | 339,400 |
| 2017 | 340,300 |
| 2018 | 339,400 |
| 2019 | 340,000 |
| 2020 | 318,400 |
| 2021 | 324,100 |
| 2022 | 334,100 |
| 2023 | 339,100 |
| 2024 | 339,700 |
| 2025 | 338,600 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $742/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $753/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $774/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $796/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $825/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $885/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $985/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,087/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,144/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,203/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,246/mo |
| Sep 2026 | $1,306/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $119,881 |
| Dec 2011 | $113,011 |
| Dec 2012 | $111,953 |
| Dec 2013 | $116,815 |
| Dec 2014 | $118,828 |
| Dec 2015 | $124,292 |
| Dec 2016 | $129,683 |
| Dec 2017 | $137,174 |
| Dec 2018 | $145,227 |
| Dec 2019 | $152,459 |
| Dec 2020 | $168,370 |
| Dec 2021 | $184,083 |
| Dec 2022 | $200,547 |
| Dec 2023 | $211,801 |
| Dec 2024 | $224,344 |
| Dec 2025 | $233,272 |
| Sep 2026 | $240,089 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | 14.0× |
| Dec 2016 | 14.4× |
| Dec 2017 | 14.8× |
| Dec 2018 | 15.2× |
| Dec 2019 | 15.4× |
| Dec 2020 | 15.9× |
| Dec 2021 | 15.6× |
| Dec 2022 | 15.4× |
| Dec 2023 | 15.4× |
| Dec 2024 | 15.5× |
| Dec 2025 | 15.6× |
| Sep 2026 | 15.3× |
Data retrieved October 16, 2026. Figures cover the Akron metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Akron
Zillow Home Value Index, Akron metro, Sep 2026 (+4.0% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Sep 2026 (+3.8% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values +4.0%, rents +3.8%.
Ohio and City of Akron landlord-tenant basics
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (ORC Chapters 5321 and 1923) is generally landlord-friendly. The City of Akron adds an annual rental registry, and Canton and the suburbs set their own rules, so ask your agent what applies to a specific address. The points investors ask about most:
- Security deposit: no statutory cap. Return it, with an itemized written list of deductions, within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out. If the deposit is more than $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) and the tenant stays 6 months or more, the excess earns 5% annual interest (ORC 5321.16).
- Nonpayment: serve a 3-day notice to leave, with the statute's required warning language, before filing an eviction (ORC 1923.04).
- Entry: reasonable notice and reasonable times, except emergencies; 24 hours is presumed reasonable (ORC 5321.04).
- No rent control: since 2022, Ohio law bars cities and counties from rent control or rent stabilization (ORC 5321.19).
- County filing: in counties of more than 200,000 people, including Summit and Stark, owners must file their contact information and each rental's address and parcel number with the county auditor. Out-of-state owners must name an Ohio agent (ORC 5323.02).
- City of Akron rental registry: rental units must be registered with the city's Housing Division every year by January 31. The fee is $25 per unit, capped at $2,500 per owner, with a $25 late fee after the deadline.
Short-term rental rules in Akron
Since 2022, Akron has required a registration certificate before anyone operates or advertises a short-term rental (stays under 30 consecutive days), under Article 37 of the city's business regulations. Canton and the suburbs set their own rules.
- Certificates last one calendar year and must be renewed by January 31. The application fee is $250 and non-refundable.
- The application needs owner and operator contact information, proof that city taxes and utilities are paid, proof the unit is on the city's rental registry, an affidavit on life-safety equipment, at least $1 million of general liability insurance and a basic site plan showing the sleeping rooms.
- A responsible person must be reachable around the clock and able to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.
- The city can deny a certificate for unpaid city taxes or utilities, a misrepresentation on the application, or three or more compliance orders on the property in the past five years.
- Pending in Ohio: Senate Bill 104 would bar local STR bans and cap registration fees. As of October 2026 it hasn't passed; check its status before you count on it. HOA rules can prohibit STRs entirely.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Akron metro; ORC 5321.16 — Security deposits; ORC 1923.04 — Notice to leave premises; ORC 5321.04 — Landlord obligations (entry); ORC 5321.19 — Rent control prohibited; ORC 5323.02 — Rental property owner filing with county auditor; City of Akron — Rental registration; Akron Codified Ordinances Chapter 150 — Environmental health housing code; Akron Codified Ordinances Title 11, Article 37 — Short-term rentals; Ohio SB 104 (136th General Assembly) — status.
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About 40 miles north on I-77: a bigger metro with similar rent-to-price and stricter city rental rules.
About 125 miles southwest: Ohio's growth market, with higher prices and lower rent-to-price.
Southwest Ohio: older small multifamily and a city rental registry, under the same Ohio law.
Southwest Ohio: lower rents and a growing job base, under the same Ohio landlord law.
Questions investors ask about Akron
Which areas does your Akron agent cover?
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Our vetted agent partner covers Akron and Canton. He's an investor himself with 118 units, and works single-family rentals, duplexes through fourplexes, small apartment buildings of 5 to 30 units and college rentals. Tell us your strategy, budget and target area and we'll match you.
Is Akron a good market for cash-flowing rentals?
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Better than most. Typical rent-to-price in the Akron metro is about 0.54% a month, under the 1% rule but higher than Columbus or Cincinnati, so a rental bought below median can cash flow. Population and jobs are flat, so underwrite on today's rents, not appreciation.
Can I run an Airbnb in Akron?
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Yes, with an annual short-term rental registration certificate from the city. You'll need $1 million of liability insurance, a site plan, a contact who can respond to complaints within 45 minutes, and the unit must also be on the city's rental registry. Canton and the suburbs have their own rules, and HOAs can ban STRs.
Is Ohio landlord-friendly?
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Generally, yes. There's no cap on security deposits, nonpayment evictions start with a 3-day notice, and state law bars local rent control. In Akron, register each rental unit with the city by January 31 every year.
Can I invest in Akron if I live out of state?
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Yes. Ohio requires out-of-state owners to name an in-state agent on their county rental filing, and you'll want a property manager. In a smaller market, pick an agent who walks properties for you and attends inspections.
What does it cost to get matched with an Akron agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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