Hamilton Home Prices: $264K, Up 3.2% — 3 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)
$264,486. That’s what a typical home costs in Hamilton, OH right now. Prices have climbed 3.2% over the past year, and every single month in the last twelve has posted a gain. For a midsize Ohio city in the Cincinnati metro, Hamilton sits in a pricing sweet spot — affordable enough to attract buyers, but appreciating fast enough that owners aren’t losing ground.
Quick answer: The average home price in Hamilton, OH is $264,486 as of February 2026, up 3.2% year over year according to Zillow.
Current Home Prices in Hamilton
Here’s where Hamilton stands as of February 2026:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $264,486 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +3.2% |
| Lowest ZIP Median | $171,053 |
| Highest ZIP Median | $361,510 |
| Number of ZIP Codes | 3 |
The $264,486 median puts Hamilton well below the national average. Within the Cincinnati metro area, that price point gives buyers more square footage and larger lots than they’d find closer to downtown Cincinnati.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes is significant — $190,457 separates the low end from the high end. That spread means Hamilton has options for buyers at very different budget levels. A first-time buyer with $171K to spend and an investor eyeing $361K properties are both shopping in the same city.
Year-over-year growth of 3.2% is moderate. It’s not the kind of surge that prices out locals, but it’s enough to build equity. If you bought at this time last year, your home gained roughly $8,200 in value.
Hamilton Home Prices by Neighborhood
All three Hamilton ZIP codes show distinct price tiers:
| ZIP Code | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 45011 | $361,510 | $1,869/mo |
| 45013 | $260,896 | $1,384/mo |
| 45015 | $171,053 | N/A |
Most Expensive
45011 leads Hamilton at $361,510 — 37% above the city average. Rents here run $1,869/month, the highest in the city.
Most Affordable
45015 is Hamilton’s budget-friendly zone at $171,053, which is 35% below the city median. Rent data is not yet available for this ZIP.
45013 falls almost exactly at the city average with a median of $260,896 and rents of $1,384/month.
The pricing pattern is clear: 45011 is the premium area, 45013 is the middle, and 45015 is entry-level. Buyers priced out of 45011 can look at 45013 and save about $100,000 on the purchase price while staying in Hamilton.
Rent vs Buy in Hamilton
Rent data is available for two of Hamilton’s three ZIP codes. Here’s how monthly costs compare, assuming a 30-year mortgage at 7% with 20% down:
| ZIP | Monthly Rent | Est. Mortgage Payment | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45011 | $1,869 | ~$1,924 | Buying costs ~$55 more |
| 45013 | $1,384 | ~$1,389 | Nearly identical |
In 45011, renting saves you about $55 a month compared to a mortgage payment — but you’re not building equity. Over five years, the homeowner gains equity while the renter’s payments go to a landlord.
In 45013, the math is essentially a wash. Monthly costs are within $5 of each other. At that point, the decision comes down to whether you want the flexibility of renting or the equity-building of ownership.
These mortgage estimates don’t include property taxes, insurance, or maintenance. Factor those in and renting looks cheaper on a pure monthly basis. But with Hamilton prices rising 3.2% per year, buyers recoup some of those extra costs through appreciation.
Rent data is not yet available for 45015. Given its lower home values, mortgage payments there would likely undercut rents in the other two ZIPs by a wide margin.
Population Growth and Migration
Hamilton’s population reached 63,953 in 2024, a modest but steady gain from 63,419 in 2020.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 63,419 |
| 2021 | 63,159 |
| 2022 | 63,176 |
| 2023 | 63,516 |
| 2024 | 63,953 |
The city dipped slightly in 2021, losing 260 residents. Since then, it’s been a straight climb. The 4-year growth rate of 0.8% isn’t explosive, but Hamilton is gaining while some Ohio peers are losing people.
Here’s how Hamilton compares to other Ohio cities:
| City | 2024 Population | 4-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 933,263 | +3.0% |
| Cincinnati | 314,915 | +1.7% |
| Lorain | 65,751 | +0.8% |
| Hamilton | 63,953 | +0.8% |
| Akron | 189,664 | -0.3% |
| Dayton | 136,346 | -0.9% |
Hamilton matches Lorain’s growth rate and outperforms both Akron and Dayton, which are shrinking. Columbus and Cincinnati are growing faster, but they’re also much larger metros pulling in residents from across the state.
A growing population, even at 0.8%, puts upward pressure on housing demand. More residents mean more competition for a limited housing stock.
Hamilton Housing Market Trends
Prices have risen every month for the past year. Here’s the full 12-month picture:
| Month | Avg Home Value | Min ZIP | Max ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | $264,486 | $171,053 | $361,510 |
| Jan 2026 | $263,956 | $171,183 | $360,523 |
| Dec 2025 | $263,332 | $171,101 | $359,832 |
| Nov 2025 | $262,636 | $170,849 | $358,950 |
| Oct 2025 | $261,802 | $170,414 | $357,896 |
| Sep 2025 | $260,683 | $169,388 | $356,432 |
| Aug 2025 | $259,264 | $168,033 | $354,791 |
| Jul 2025 | $258,165 | $167,102 | $353,455 |
| Jun 2025 | $257,454 | $166,643 | $352,528 |
| May 2025 | $256,931 | $166,585 | $351,462 |
| Apr 2025 | $256,671 | $166,710 | $350,682 |
| Mar 2025 | $256,328 | $166,906 | $349,706 |
No month posted a decline. The pace has been remarkably consistent — gains of $500 to $1,400 per month. The most expensive ZIP (45011) has driven the largest absolute gains, adding nearly $12,000 over the year. The cheapest ZIP (45015) gained about $4,100.
One detail worth watching: the gap between the cheapest and most expensive ZIPs widened from $182,800 in March 2025 to $190,457 in February 2026. The high end is pulling away from the low end.
Is Hamilton a Good Place to Buy in 2026?
The data points to a moderate seller’s market. Prices are rising, population is growing, and all three ZIP codes are appreciating. But the gains aren’t runaway — 3.2% annual growth leaves room for buyers to enter without chasing prices higher.
For buyers, the strongest case is in 45015. At $171,053, it’s one of the more affordable options in the Cincinnati metro. If you can tolerate the lower end of the market, the entry price is low and the upside tracks with the rest of Hamilton.
For investors, the rent-to-price ratios in 45011 and 45013 are tight. You won’t find huge cash flow margins, but steady appreciation and a growing population reduce vacancy risk.
Sellers hold the upper hand right now. Twelve consecutive months of price increases give you momentum. Listing in spring or summer, when buyer activity typically peaks, could maximize your return.
Hamilton Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027
The 12-month trend shows steady, unbroken growth. From March 2025 to February 2026, Hamilton gained about $8,158 in median value — roughly $680 per month.
If the current pace continues through 2026, the median could approach $272,000 to $275,000 by year’s end. The three-month trend from December 2025 to February 2026 shows acceleration — monthly gains of roughly $700, $624, and $530 in preceding months grew to $696 and $1,154 more recently.
No sign of a slowdown appears in the data. Population growth, however modest, supports demand. The Cincinnati metro’s broader economic base provides stability. But external factors — mortgage rate changes, job market shifts — could alter this trajectory. The data available here suggests continued upward movement in the near term.
Similar Markets in OH
If you’re exploring Hamilton, these nearby Ohio markets offer useful comparison points:
- Middletown — Hamilton’s neighbor to the north, another Butler County option for buyers seeking similar prices.
- Cincinnati — The big city 30 miles south. Higher prices but more job access and urban amenities.
- Dayton — Shrinking population (-0.9%) may mean lower competition for buyers willing to look further north.
- Columbus — Ohio’s fastest-growing city at 3.0% growth, but expect to pay more.
- Kettering — A Dayton suburb that may offer a different price-to-value ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Hamilton?
The average home price in Hamilton, OH is $264,486 as of February 2026. That’s the median across all three Hamilton ZIP codes, where values range from $171,053 in 45015 to $361,510 in 45011.
Are home prices going up or down in Hamilton?
Home prices in Hamilton are going up. The median rose 3.2% year over year, and every month in the past 12 has posted a gain. From March 2025 ($256,328) to February 2026 ($264,486), the city added over $8,000 in median value.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hamilton?
It’s close. In ZIP 45013, renting at $1,384/month costs almost exactly the same as a mortgage payment on a median home there. In 45011, renting at $1,869/month saves about $55/month compared to buying — before you factor in taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Buying builds equity; renting doesn’t.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Hamilton?
ZIP code 45015 is the most affordable area in Hamilton at $171,053 — that’s 35% below the city median of $264,486. It’s well suited for first-time buyers or investors looking for a lower entry point.
Methodology
Home values are based on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a smoothed measure of typical home values in the 35th to 65th percentile range. Rent estimates use the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (2020-2024 vintage). All datasets are publicly available. Housing data updated 2026-02-28.