Cleveland Neighborhoods · Cleveland, OH
Houses for Rent in Central, Cleveland
Central is a historic neighborhood just southeast of Downtown Cleveland, largely in ZIP code 44104. It's one of the areas where we manage the most rental homes, with 2- and 3-bedroom houses typically running $700-$1,300 a month, and every home accepts Housing Choice Vouchers.
Renting a house in Central
Central is a historic Cleveland neighborhood located just southeast of Downtown, primarily within ZIP code 44104. It is one of the city's oldest residential districts and has long been associated with public and subsidized housing development, sitting between Downtown's Gateway district and the Fairfax and Kinsman neighborhoods.
Because of its proximity to Downtown, Central has seen a mix of long-standing rental housing alongside newer development activity near the Gateway sports district and the Opportunity Corridor project, a boulevard connecting University Circle to I-490 that runs along the neighborhood's southern edge. Renters looking at Central are often comparing it directly against Downtown apartment options, since the two areas sit within a few minutes of each other by bus or car.
Central, together with the surrounding 44104 ZIP code, is one of our higher-volume Cleveland service areas — book a showing to see current availability or start an application if you're ready to move forward. Every home we manage in Central accepts Housing Choice Vouchers and is HUD-inspection-ready.
How much does it cost to rent a house in Central?
Across our Cleveland portfolio, monthly rents range from about $700 to $1,800, with a typical rent near $1,000, concentrated in 2- and 3-bedroom homes. Citywide, Zumper's July 4, 2026 report set the median asking rent at $1,250/mo (2-bedroom median $1,100, 3-bedroom median $1,350), while RentCafe's July 2, 2026 report — which tracks larger professionally-managed apartment buildings — reported a citywide average of $1,564/mo. Neither source breaks rents out by individual neighborhood, so treat these as citywide reference points rather than Central-specific figures.
| Home size | Typical monthly rent (our portfolio, Cleveland-wide) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom | $750 – $1,100 | Most common size we manage |
| 3-bedroom | $1,100 – $1,500 | Often with a basement |
| 4-bedroom | $1,200 – $1,800 | Larger households, fewer available |
Getting around Central
Central's location just southeast of Downtown puts it within walking or short bus distance of Tower City, Cleveland's central RTA rail hub where the Red, Blue, Green, and Waterfront lines all converge. RTA bus routes also run through the neighborhood along Central Avenue, Woodland Avenue, and Community College Boulevard. Cuyahoga Community College's Metropolitan Campus sits on the neighborhood's western edge, and I-77 and I-90 both pass near Central's boundaries, giving drivers quick highway access.
- ZIP code: 44104
- Transit: Walking distance to Tower City rail hub (Red/Blue/Green/Waterfront lines); RTA bus on Central and Woodland Avenues
- Landmark: Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus
- Highway access: Near I-77 and I-90
- Location: Directly southeast of Downtown Cleveland
Section 8 and vouchers in Central
Every rental home we manage in Central and the surrounding 44104 area accepts Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and is HUD-inspection-ready — this is one of our core East Cleveland service areas. Renters should know that the City of Cleveland does not currently have a source-of-income protection ordinance, meaning landlords are not legally required to accept a voucher; Ohio itself has no statewide requirement either. Applicants can start a Housing Choice Voucher application year-round through CMHA's online portal, with selection made through periodic lotteries rather than strict first-come-first-served. See our Cleveland Section 8 guide for income limits and the full application process.
Comparing Central to nearby neighborhoods
Central borders Fairfax to the east, another core part of our 44104 service area, and sits a short drive from Hough to the north. For a citywide view of rent ranges and neighborhoods, see our Houses for Rent in Cleveland OH pillar page or browse the full Cleveland rentals hub.
Renters weighing a house against an apartment in this part of Cleveland can also check our apartments pillar page for a citywide comparison of unit types and price points before deciding which fits their household best.
Frequently asked questions
Are there Section 8 houses for rent in Central?
How much does it cost to rent a house in Central?
What ZIP code is Central in?
How far is Central from Downtown Cleveland?
Does Rent Finder Cleveland manage a lot of homes in Central?
Rent Finder Cleveland is an equal housing opportunity provider and does business in accordance with the Fair Housing Act. Availability, pricing, and terms are subject to change.