October 2025 Ohio Real Estate Market Report: Signs of Stability and a Shift Toward Balance

The Ohio real estate market in October 2025 continues to show resilience amid evolving economic conditions. While the market remains largely favorable to sellers, rising inventory and steady price growth are signs of a gradual shift toward a more balanced environment. Let’s explore the statewide and regional trends shaping Ohio’s housing landscape this fall.

Statewide Overview

As of late 2025, Ohio’s housing market is demonstrating steady price appreciation, increasing inventory, and modest gains in home sales. According to the latest statewide data from August 2025:

Metric Value Year-over-Year Change Home Sales 12,123 +0.5% Average Sales Price $268,000 +5.1% Active Listings 36,943 +10% Housing Supply 3.57 months +9.5%

While a balanced market typically has about six months of housing supply, Ohio’s 3.57 months indicates continued seller leverage, though buyers are slowly regaining options.

Regional Market Highlights

Ohio’s regional housing conditions vary widely, shaped by local economies and job growth patterns. Here’s how the state’s major metros are performing:

Dayton–Kettering–Beavercreek

• Market Type: Balanced

• Average Home Price: $240,200 (+8% YoY)

• Home Sales Vacancy Rate: 1.2%

• Rental Vacancy Rate: 7.0%

• Forecast Demand (2025–2028): 5,000 sales units, 3,575 rental units

Dayton’s housing market remains balanced with steady job growth and moderate rent increases, suggesting healthy long-term demand.

Cleveland–Elyria

• Market Type: Balanced

• Average Home Price: $230,900 (+5%)

• Inventory: 1.2-month supply

• Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.3%

• Forecast Demand (2023–2026): 8,950 new homes, 6,650 rentals

The Cleveland area is experiencing a slow but stable recovery following early-2020 job losses. Rising rents and limited supply continue to support property values.

Columbus Metro

• Market Type: Balanced, but competitive

• Average Home Price: $300,800 (+9%)

• Sales Volume: 39,850 homes sold (−25% YoY)

• Rental Vacancy Rate: 6.9%

• Forecast Demand (2023–2026): 17,775 new homes, 13,900 rentals

Columbus remains the economic engine of Ohio, with population and job growth fueling steady housing demand. Despite declining sales volume, prices continue to climb as supply struggles to keep pace with demand.

Economic Influences

Ohio’s economy continues to grow at a moderate pace. Employment expanded by 0.3% between April and July 2023, slightly trailing the national average of 0.4%. The unemployment rate stands at 3.6%, remaining below the U.S. average of 3.9%.

Key indicators shaping the real estate market include:

• Inflation: Down to 3.6% YoY, projected to reach 2.3% by late 2024

• Interest Rates: Expected to cool heading into 2026, potentially spurring new buyer activity

• GDP Growth: U.S. GDP grew 5.2% (Q3 2023), with Ohio following steady but modestly

• Recession Risk: Below 50%, signaling continued economic stability

These factors suggest favorable conditions for buyers in the coming year, as affordability could improve with easing rates and expanding supply.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Sellers:

• You can still expect strong pricing power, especially in metro areas with low inventory.

• However, the days of instant bidding wars may be slowing as more listings enter the market.

For Buyers:

• More homes are available, giving you greater choice and negotiation leverage.

• As inflation and mortgage rates ease, late 2025 into early 2026 may bring improved affordability.

Looking Ahead

The Ohio housing market appears to be entering a new phase of balance. Prices remain strong, but inventory growth is easing pressure on buyers. While economic momentum has cooled slightly, forecasts point to a stable market with sustained demand across major metros like Columbus, Dayton, and Cleveland.

Bottom Line

The Ohio real estate market in October 2025 is steady, sustainable, and transitioning. With healthy job growth, cooling inflation, and expanding supply, both buyers and sellers have reasons for optimism as the market evolves toward equilibrium.