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New Cincinnati apartments now average 849 square feet, down 52 square feet from the average in 2016, according to RentCafe. Studios have seen the largest decline, falling 145 square feet to an average of 460 square feet. Two-bedroom units account for 34 percent of new apartment construction and average 1,089 square feet.
The sizes in Cincinnati apartments are shrinking, with new units averaging 849 square feet, according to a new RentCafe report.
They have fallen by 52 square feet over the past decade, the report found.
The change affects different apartment types at different rates. Studios have seen the largest decline, while developers have increased the share of two-bedroom units in new construction.
The findings come as Cincinnati continues to add multifamily housing across the city. The data provides a look at how developers are changing apartment layouts as renter demand evolves.
Cincinnati apartment sizes fall over the past decade
Cincinnati apartment sizes have declined by 52 square feet since 2016. New apartments now average 849 square feet, according to RentCafe’s August analysis.
According to Rentcafe, Cincinnati ranked 67th among the 100 metros examined for changes in apartment size. The decline puts the city below its average from a decade ago.
The national comparison shows that Cincinnati is not among the country’s smallest apartment markets. New apartments across the United States averaged about 910 square feet in 2025.
That means Cincinnati’s average new unit remains about 61 square feet smaller than the national figure. However, several major markets have even smaller new apartments.
RentCafe tracks apartment construction and rental housing data using information from Yardi Matrix. Its rental market data covers apartment sizes, bedroom types and construction trends across U.S. markets.
Cincinnati apartment sizes show the biggest change in studios
Studio apartments have experienced the sharpest decline in Cincinnati. New studios now average 460 square feet.
That represents a 145-square-foot reduction since 2016. The decline ranks as the ninth-steepest among the 100 metros included in the RentCafe analysis.
The change is significant because studios already provide the least amount of living space. A reduction of 145 square feet represents a substantial change in the typical floor plan.
One-bedroom apartments have also become smaller. New one-bedroom units now average 698 square feet.
However, one-bedroom apartments made up more than half of Cincinnati’s new apartment construction during the decade. That makes them the largest unit category among new developments.
The trend suggests that developers continue to see demand for smaller units. At the same time, Cincinnati’s construction mix has begun shifting toward larger two-bedroom apartments.
Cincinnati apartment sizes vary by bedroom type
Two-bedroom apartments now make up 34 percent of Cincinnati’s new apartment construction. Those units average 1,089 square feet, according to the RentCafe data.
The increase differs from the national pattern described in the report. Many markets have focused more heavily on studios and one-bedroom apartments.
Cincinnati developers may be responding to demand from several types of renters. Two-bedroom units can accommodate roommates, couples who need additional space or renters who work from home.
Families also may choose to rent for longer periods instead of purchasing homes. A second bedroom can provide additional living space without requiring a move into a single-family home.
The figures show that Cincinnati’s apartment market is not simply moving toward smaller units. Instead, developers appear to be building different types of units for different renter needs.
The overall average still declined because of changes across the entire mix of newly built apartments. Studio and one-bedroom units account for a large share of new construction.
How Cincinnati compares with other apartment markets
Cincinnati’s 849-square-foot average sits near the middle of the national market. The city’s new apartments are larger than those in several major markets.
Seattle had an average new apartment size of about 645 square feet, according to reporting based on the RentCafe analysis. Portland averaged about 665 square feet, while Brooklyn averaged about 714 square feet. (Hoodline)
The national average moved in the opposite direction in recent years. RentCafe’s analysis found that newly built apartments across the country averaged roughly 910 square feet in 2025.
The national figure also reflects changes in where developers are building. Larger new apartments in Southern markets helped raise the overall U.S. average.
Cincinnati therefore stands out because its new apartments became smaller while the national average began increasing. The local trend also differs from the construction mix seen in many other metropolitan areas.
What smaller new apartments mean for renters
The RentCafe data does not show that every Cincinnati renter now lives in a smaller apartment. Instead, it measures the average size of newly built units.
Older apartments can have substantially different floor plans. Renters also can choose from units of different sizes, prices and bedroom configurations.
The report does show that people looking for newly constructed housing may encounter smaller floor plans than renters did a decade ago. Studios have experienced the largest change.
The size of a unit can also affect how renters use their living space. Smaller apartments may appeal to renters who prioritize location, amenities or lower overall housing needs.
Two-bedroom units offer a different option for renters who need more space. Their 1,089-square-foot average is considerably larger than the city’s averages for studios and one-bedroom units.
For renters comparing new and older properties, apartment size is only one factor. Location, rent, utilities, parking and building amenities can also affect the overall cost.
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Cincinnati’s new apartments reflect a changing rental market
The latest data points to a more complicated shift in Cincinnati’s rental market. Developers are building smaller units overall while also increasing the share of two-bedroom apartments.
The average new apartment has fallen to 849 square feet. Studios have declined by 145 square feet since 2016, while one-bedroom units now average 698 square feet.
At the same time, two-bedroom units represent 34 percent of new construction. Their average size reaches 1,089 square feet.
The figures suggest developers are balancing unit size with demand for different types of rental housing. Cincinnati’s pattern also differs from national construction trends.
For renters, the biggest change may be in the type of new housing entering the market. Smaller studios and one-bedroom apartments remain a major part of construction, while larger two-bedroom units have gained ground.
The RentCafe analysis provides a decade-long snapshot of those changes. Future construction will show whether Cincinnati’s average apartment size continues to decline or begins to move closer to the national trend.
Source: RentCafe’s U.S. rental market data
FAQs
How large is the average new apartment in Cincinnati?
New Cincinnati apartments average 849 square feet, according to RentCafe’s August analysis. That is 52 square feet smaller than the average new apartment in 2016.
How much have Cincinnati studio apartments shrunk?
New studios now average 460 square feet. Their average size has declined by 145 square feet since 2016.
How large are new one-bedroom apartments in Cincinnati?
New one-bedroom apartments average 698 square feet. They accounted for more than half of Cincinnati’s new apartment construction during the period studied.
Are Cincinnati developers building more two-bedroom apartments?
Two-bedroom apartments account for 34 percent of new apartment construction in Cincinnati. They average 1,089 square feet.
