Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Lima?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Lima, you need to earn at least $39,080/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $41,824, which means the typical resident is $2,744 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 35,555

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$684	$2,280	$27,360	$-14,464
1 Bedroom	$811	$2,703	$32,440	$-9,384
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$977	$3,257	$39,080	$-2,744
3 Bedroom	$1,192	$3,973	$47,680	+$5,856
4 Bedroom	$1,466	$4,887	$58,640	+$16,816

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Lima's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$41,824

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$39,080

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,744

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Lima

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Lima's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,046

Studio

$684/mo

1 BR

$811/mo

2 BR

$977/mo

3 BR

$1,192/mo

4 BR

$1,466/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Lima.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Lima's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Lima

Lima is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,744. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($811/month) or studio ($684/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Lima pushes the required income to $47,680.

For comfortable living in Lima without financial stress, target a household income of at least $58,620 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Ohio's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Lima, Ohio.

With a total population of 35,555, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 14,741 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $39,080 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

14,741

Active civilian employees in Lima

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Lima

What salary do I need to live in Lima, Ohio?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Lima under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $39,080. The median household income in Lima is $41,824.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Lima on $41,824?

The affordability verdict for Lima is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.0%, meaning median earners have a $2,744 surplus.

What is the average rent in Lima compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Lima is $811/month. With a median household income of $41,824, residents spend approximately 28.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Lima?

A studio in Lima rents for approximately $684/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $27,360 to afford this.

Is Lima considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,744 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Lima is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $39,080 to the local median household income.

How Lima Compares

Other cities in Ohio with salary requirements