Lancaster

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Lancaster, OH

Area Guide

A college town with style.

University Students Charming History

Located in south-central Ohio, Lancaster sits approximately 33 miles southeast of Columbus, offering a mix of historic architecture and contemporary living options. With approximately 40,500 residents, this former "Glass City" maintains strong connections to its manufacturing heritage. The rental market reflects steady growth, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,031, two-bedroom units at $1,241, and three-bedroom homes typically renting for $1,557.

Lancaster's downtown district preserves its historic character along Main Street, where locally-owned businesses occupy beautifully maintained buildings. The city's outdoor spaces include Rising Park, featuring dramatic sandstone cliffs and panoramic views of the valley. Ohio University-Lancaster's campus adds educational resources to the community, while the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio and Ohio Glass Museum showcase the area's artistic heritage. Each October, the Fairfield County Fair - Ohio's last county fair of the season - continues a cherished tradition dating back to 1851. From historic districts featuring preserved Georgian architecture to contemporary apartment communities, Lancaster offers diverse rental options with easy access to parks, shopping, and dining destinations.

Rent Trends

As of January 2026, the average apartment rent in Lancaster, OH is $917 for a studio, $1,025 for one bedroom, $1,265 for two bedrooms, and $1,624 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lancaster has decreased by -1.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,025/month
659 Sq Ft
House
$1,770/month
1,151 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Lancaster, OH

Transportation

47

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

44

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Tarhe Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

638 Students

Tallmadge Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

488 Students

Fairfield Union Rushville Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

624 Students

Cedar Heights Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

580 Students

East Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

504 Students

General Sherman Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

707 Students

Thomas Ewing Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

Fairfield Union Rushville Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

624 Students

Fairfield Union High School

Public

Grades 9-12

583 Students

Lancaster High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,848 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • AHA! Children's Museum
  • Alley Park
  • Wahkeena Nature Preserve
  • Clear Creek Metro Park
  • Chestnut Ridge Metro Park

Airports

  • Rickenbacker International
  • John Glenn Columbus International

Top Apartments in Lancaster

Houses for Rent in Lancaster

Property Management Companies in Lancaster, OH

Living in Lancaster

Restaurants

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When it comes to good cooking, there are plenty of options available throughout the city. Local mom and pop options are a popular choice with the locals and with good reason. While you will find a wide range of options in terms of chain restaurants, you'll also find some good options for something more soothing. Thimmes Fish Shack is one of those local favorites for seafood. Rooster's Restaurant is an inexpensive place to get quality chicken and American cuisine. Root's Restaurant, Sugar Bears Pizzeria, and Four Reasons Bakery & Deli are also popular local choices for those who want something tasty.

Shopping

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For those looking for a bit of shopping, small options, such as grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations are located throughout the area. For trendy shops and more expansive options, visit River Valley Mall. It is the largest shopping area in the city. It also has many restaurants and nightlife options in it compared to the rest of the city. Most of the larger box stores are located at the mall or nearby to it.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.