1st Advantage MortgageA DSCR loan in Youngstown turns on rent versus payment. Citywide medians from the Census are $728 a month for rent, $63,300 for home value and $811 a year for real estate taxes.
Youngstown by the Census numbers
Renters who pay cash rent in Youngstown have a median gross rent of $728 a month, well below the Ohio median of $1,034, while owner-occupied homes carry a median value of $63,300. Put the two medians together and Youngstown shows a gross yield of 13.8%, a comparatively strong gross ratio for a metro area. Because the rent number covers apartments as well as houses, expect single-family rentals to land above or below it.
| Indicator | Ohio | Youngstown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons per household | 2.37 | 2.21 | |
| Share in 2-4 unit buildings | 7.9% | 6.2% | -21% |
| Long commuters, 45 min plus | 10.8% | 8.7% | -20% |
| Degree holders, age 25+ | 31.5% | 15.5% | -51% |
| Workers on their own account | 8.1% | 5.2% | -36% |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income | 45.9% | 57.1% | +24% |
| Units sitting vacant | 8.1% | 15.0% | +85% |
| Typical construction year | 1970 | 1950 | |
| Annual rent divided by value | 5.8% | 13.8% | +139% |
| Households that rent | 32.8% | 43.8% | +34% |
| Tax as a share of home value | 1.31% | 1.28% | -2% |
| Annual property tax bill, median | $2,822 | $811 | -71% |
| Household income, median | $71,389 | $34,408 | -52% |
| Typical monthly rent | $1,034 | $728 | -30% |
| Residents (Census estimate) | 11,810,293 | 59,331 |
About 43.8% of occupied homes in Youngstown are renter-occupied, well above the Ohio median of 33%, a balanced mix of owners and tenants. Median household income of $34,408 (well below the Ohio median of $71,389) sets the ceiling for rent growth, and 57% of renters already spend 30 percent or more of income on rent.
Homes, buildings and vacancies in Youngstown
Single-family detached housing accounts for 79% of the units counted in Youngstown, so expect house-style comparables in most appraisals. With a median build year of 1950, older roofs, plumbing and electrical are the norm and inspection findings drive the numbers.
About 15% of Youngstown's housing units are vacant, and the rental vacancy rate (units for rent against rented plus for-rent units) works out to 5.4%.
What stands out in Youngstown
Gross yield of 13.8% puts Youngstown in a comfortable range for DSCR math, so the questions shift from whether the rent covers the payment to how durable that rent is. An older stock (built 1950 at the median) means the inspection report can change your numbers more than the rent does. Renters are 44% of households, which gives investors a real tenant base to market to.
What costs can do to a Youngstown ratio
Real estate taxes are a line the rent has to cover. The median owner in Youngstown pays $811 a year (well below the Ohio median of $2,822), which is about 1.28% of the median home value. Compared with annual median rent, the tax line is about 9%.
The federal National Risk Index scores Mahoning County relatively moderate for overall risk, led by hail (relatively high), strong wind (relatively high) and lightning (relatively high). That is a county-level view, so check the flood map for the exact parcel.
| Hazard in Mahoning County, FEMA index | Level |
|---|---|
| Tornadoes exposure | Relatively High |
| Lightning exposure | Relatively High |
| Strong wind exposure | Relatively High |
| Hail exposure | Relatively High |
| Social vulnerability score | Relatively High |
| Annualized loss estimate | Relatively Low |
| Composite risk | Relatively Moderate |
Price the insurance before you price the offer: a landlord quote for the Youngstown property, plus flood cover where the map requires it, goes into the payment your rent is divided against.
The ratio in Youngstown dollars
At the city medians a DSCR file in Youngstown has $660 a month after taxes to cover principal, interest, insurance and dues if the ratio is 1.00, or $515 if the ratio is 1.25. Those two numbers show why insurance quotes and tax estimates come first.
Legal checks before a Youngstown purchase
Before you underwrite a Youngstown rental, confirm with city hall and Mahoning County whether landlords must register, pass an inspection or hold a permit, especially for stays under 30 days, because those rules can change what income a lender will count. If you are weighing nightly income in Youngstown, the state tax backdrop is this. Ohio's lodging tax covers transient guests who rent for fewer than 30 consecutive days, including Airbnb and VRBO style rentals, and counties may levy an additional lodging tax that operators register for and file under that county's rules.
Deposit limits are set by statute in Ohio (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16), and for Youngstown landlords the rule reads: No statutory cap. On rent control, No. On entering a unit, Ohio says: 24 hours' notice and reasonable times, except emergencies.
Neighbors of Youngstown by the numbers
Prices in the comparison range from $86,400 in Warren to $219,900 in Kent, with Youngstown at $63,300.
| Market | Renter share | Tax bill | Home value | Residents | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 49% | $1,950 | $122,000 | 189,247 | $955 |
| Canton | 51% | $1,227 | $97,800 | 69,755 | $850 |
| Kent | 59% | $3,463 | $219,900 | 27,116 | $991 |
| Warren | 44% | $1,236 | $86,400 | 38,912 | $766 |
| Youngstown | 44% | $811 | $63,300 | 59,331 | $728 |
Who rents in Youngstown
Self-employment accounts for 5.2% of Youngstown's workforce, so many local investors earn income that a standard payroll-based mortgage underwrites poorly. Looking at who fills the rentals, government workers are about 13% of employment, 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher and 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more.
The Youngstown area is home to Youngstown State University and Eastern Gateway Community College. Students and employees at schools like these are a recurring source of rental demand. Transportation links include interstate access via I-680 and I-80 and air service through Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. Easy highway and air access helps both tenant commutes and remote ownership.
From a Youngstown listing to a loan
Before you offer on a Youngstown property, test the ratio in the calculator, then apply now or request a DSCR quote.
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Sources and data notes
- State rule cited for Youngstown hosts: Ohio Revised Code 5739.09
- Lodging tax reference: Ohio Administrative Code 5703-9-64
- Census ACS profile behind the Youngstown figures
- Federal hazard index, OH
- Background reading: Youngstown, Ohio
- Youngstown landlords: see Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
Numbers for Youngstown come from the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 ACS and are survey estimates. For Ohio tenant law we used RedFlagLease under CC BY 4.0 plus the linked statutes. Reviewed in October 2026, with no promise that rules have stayed put.
Before you make an offer
Before you commit on a Youngstown deal, confirm the rent with the lease or a market estimate, price the insurance for the exact address, and check how the taxes may change after the sale, so the ratio you run matches the one the lender calculates.
DSCR loan availability varies by property and lender program and is not an offer to lend. See our disclosures.
Frequently asked questions
Which rent counts when I finance a Youngstown property?
The property's own rent evidence decides: a lease, or the market rent from the appraisal. Citywide, Youngstown renters report a median of $728.
Do taxes and insurance count in the Youngstown DSCR ratio?
Every piece of PITIA is in the denominator. With $728 in rent, a 1.25 lender allows about $582, leaving $515 after median taxes of $68 a month.
What do Youngstown owners pay in real estate taxes?
The Census reports a median of $811 a year for Youngstown owners, about 1.28% of median value against 1.31% for Ohio. The county reassesses after a sale, so ask the tax office for an estimate on your purchase price.
Can I use Airbnb income to qualify in Youngstown?
Often, with conditions: legal use under city and association rules, documented income and an insurance policy that covers guests. Youngstown owners should check all three first.
How much deposit can a Youngstown landlord collect?
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16: No statutory cap. The deposit is due back within 30 days of move-out. Check the statute and your lease before collecting.
Does hazard risk affect a Youngstown DSCR loan?
At the county level FEMA calls overall risk relatively moderate. Insurance, not the index, shows up in the ratio, so price a policy for the Youngstown address.
Should a Youngstown rental be bought in an LLC?
You do not need one, and many investors close in an entity. If you use an LLC, the lender asks for formation documents and usually a personal guaranty. Talk to your attorney and accountant about structure for a Ohio property.