C+

Hamilton, OH

Source:

Affordability Score: 61/100

Population: 134,328 · 3 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Hamilton, OH aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes covering 134,328 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (61/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $80,825, median home value of $254,160, median rent of $1,036 per month, and 27.7% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,353 per month (studio $958, 1BR $1,051, 3BR $1,785, 4BR $1,976). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $15,340 per year, consuming 19% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Hamilton, OH include rent. Pressure points are childcare. Unemployment currently reads 4.7% and poverty 12.6% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B-
$80,825
Median household income
Education D
27.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.1x
Home value $254,160 vs income
Commute C-
25 min
Average commute time
Rent B+
$1,353/mo
2BR fair market rent (20% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare F
$15,340/yr
Center-based infant care (19% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$80,825
▲ 30% vs national
Per Capita Income
$38,336
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Poverty Rate
12.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
$254,160
▼ 8% vs national
Median Rent
$1,036/mo
Owner Occupied
72.8%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,353/mo
▲ 13% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$958
1BR
$1,051
2BR
$1,353
3BR
$1,785
4BR
$1,976

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
27.7%
▼ 2 ppt vs national
High School+
62.8%
Median Age
38.4
Avg. Commute
25 min
▼ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$15,340/yr
19% of income
Toddler (Center)
$13,780/yr
Preschool (Center)
$12,064/yr
School-Age (Center)
$7,800/yr

What This Means

Hamilton, OH receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100), aggregated from 3 ZIP codes with a total population of 134,328. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include childcare. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Hamilton ZIP Codes
View all 3 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Hamilton, OH affordable?
Hamilton, OH receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $80,825. Median home value is $254,160.
What is the cost of living in Hamilton?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,036/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,353/mo. Infant childcare $15,340/yr. Median home value $254,160.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →