Is Cincinnati Getting Expensive? 18 ZIP Codes Over $400K, UC’s Growth Hub & Hyde Park Drama

Cincinnati Real Estate Headlines: 18 ZIP Codes Over $400K + UC Growth, Downtown Conversions, and Hyde Park Square Drama

Sztanyo Clanyo — what’s going on? Happy Thursday.

Welcome back to Team Sztanyo Live, where we talk about everything living in Cincinnati — and yes, we’re going to hit real estate headlines, what they mean for families moving here, and even a little Bengals optimism at the end.

Tonight’s agenda:

18 Cincinnati ZIP codes now topping $400,000 in median home values
The University of Cincinnati area going from a “dead zone” to a true growth hub
Another big Over-the-Rhine historic building conversion into apartments
Hyde Park Square updates (and the never-ending neighborhood drama)
Plus: a podcast recommendation and a family goal-planning tool my wife and I have been using

We’re Knocking on the Door of 8,000 Subscribers

Before we jump in — a quick milestone moment. We were sitting at 7,993 when we started, and during the Live we hit 7,997. That’s wild.

If you’ve been watching and haven’t subscribed, I appreciate it if you do — we’re trying to hit 8,000 and keep building this community.

Is Cincinnati Getting Too Expensive?

Some locals would say “yes.”

But nationally, I still think the answer is closer to “not compared to what you get for the money.” That said… prices have gone up — big time — and the new ZIP code data is a perfect example.

18 Cincinnati ZIP Codes Now Have Median Home Values Over $400,000

Here’s the headline: 18 Cincinnati-area ZIP codes topped $400,000 median home values in Q3.

What really jumped out to me:

That’s 15 more ZIP codes over $400k than in Q3 of 2019
In 2019, there were only three over $400k
So yes — that’s a meaningful change in a relatively short window

Terrace Park Is #1 — and That Surprised Me

The highest median home value on the list was:

45174 (Terrace Park): $741,602
Up from $495,752 in Q3 2019
That’s about a 49.6% jump in six-ish years

I think a lot of people would assume Indian Hill would be #1… but remember: a ZIP code can include multiple communities, and that matters.

Madeira + Indian Hill (45243) Is Right Behind It

45243 (Madeira / includes parts of Indian Hill): $725,637
Up roughly 48% since 2019

Hyde Park / Oakley / Mt. Lookout (45208) Is #3

45208: $608,993
One of the most consistently strong areas in the city — and that’s not a surprise if you’ve lived here.

Loveland (45140) Has Been a Rocket Ship

One of the biggest “wow” jumps:

45140 (Loveland): $438,354
Up 59% from $275,573 in 2019

That tracks with what I’ve seen: strong school districts tend to create long-term demand, tighter inventory, and better stability.

The Full List of 18 ZIP Codes Over $400K

Here’s the list as I covered it (with a few notes):

45174 Terrace Park – $741,602
45243 Madeira / Indian Hill – $725,637
45208 Hyde Park / Oakley / Mt. Lookout – $608,993
45249 Sixteen Mile Stand – $582,813
45242 Montgomery – $535,058
45040 Mason – $496,371
45054 Oregonia – $461,713
45226 East End / parts of Mt. Lookout – $460,607
45053 Okeana – $446,895
45068 Waynesville – $442,485
41091 Union (NKY) – $441,272 (only NKY ZIP on the list)
45140 Loveland – $438,354
45034 Kings Mills – $428,806
45066 Springboro – $426,057
45069 West Chester Township – $413,817
47022 Guilford – $413,114
45244 Dry Run – $408,373
45036 Lebanon – $406,584

Why West Chester Stands Out

West Chester is interesting because you can still find homes under $500k with strong schools and a classic suburban lifestyle — but many homes are 25–30 years old, built late 90s / early 2000s. Often great bones, but you may want to modernize.

Can You Still Find a Great Home Under $400K? Yes.

This is the part I don’t want people to miss.

Even though these 18 ZIP codes crossed $400k, the broader Cincinnati region is still closer to the low $300s for median value — and there are absolutely options for:

3–4 bedrooms
under $400k
within ~30 minutes of downtown

I used Independence, KY as an example:

Median around $315k
Still appreciating (around ~6% in the last year in the example I pulled)
And you can find solid 4 bed / 3.5 bath homes in the high $300s

That’s why I always tell people: Cincinnati isn’t “cheap” anymore, but it’s still very doable — especially compared to many metro areas.

Growth Pockets: Maineville, Loveland, Hamilton Township

A viewer commented during the Live that there’s momentum around Maineville / Loveland / Hamilton Township, and I agree.

Those areas keep attracting:

new construction
families prioritizing schools
buyers looking for space + newer homes

And there’s still a lot of farmland out there — which is why builders keep trying to lock up whatever they can.

Why This Matters for Relocation Buyers

When my team consults with buyers moving here, we’re always trying to clarify what actually matters most:

Schools?
Commute?
Space / lot size?
Walkability?
Value play?
Appreciation potential?
How long are you staying — 1–3 years, 4–7, or “we’re retiring here”?

Because Cincinnati isn’t just one city — it’s a region. “Cincinnati” can mean:

Cincinnati proper neighborhoods
Mason / West Chester / Loveland
Anderson / Milford
Union / Florence / Independence / Hebron / Alexandria
…and everything in between.

Our job is to match your life with the right pocket of the city.

UC Uptown: From “Dead Zone” to Growth Hub

One of the best-written stories I covered was about the University of Cincinnati area — and how that stretch near Calhoun/McMillan went from:

drive-thrus
surface parking
disinvestment
…to major mixed-use development and a true urban hub.

The article highlighted:

UC’s enrollment and growth trajectory
billions in investment around Uptown
and UC stepping in on a difficult site that private developers couldn’t make work

You can feel it when you’re up there now — new buildings, new energy, new retail, more density.

And long-term? I still think the conversation about connecting Uptown to downtown more effectively — including transit ideas — is going to keep coming back.

Over-the-Rhine: Another Historic Building Converts to Housing

Next headline: Hamilton County sold the historic Alms & Doepke building for residential conversion.

Key points:

Sold for $12.1M
Planned 150 units
About two-thirds workforce housing
Expected timeline: early 2028

This continues a bigger trend: more conversions and more residents downtown.

Cities everywhere are trying to rebuild their downtown tax base and livability post-COVID. Cincinnati has been leaning hard into conversions — and I think it’s a smart play if we can keep building a downtown that’s walkable, safe, and truly enjoyable to live in.

Hyde Park Square: Two New Options, Council Won’t Vote Yet

Hyde Park Square is still one of the most intense development sagas in the city.

The update:

developers presented two scaled-down proposals
one is apartment-heavy
the other includes fewer apartments + a boutique hotel
the neighborhood council declined to vote and asked for more time

My takeaway: it looks like movement toward compromise — and that’s a win compared to where this started.

A Podcast + Tool That Helped My Family Plan Our Year

Quick plug from the Live that I genuinely recommend:

Abraham’s Wallet

Tagline: “Run your home and your dough like a biblical boss.”

My wife and I have used their annual planning guide for years, but this year we walked through their Family Vision Statement process — and it’s been really valuable for clarifying:

what we’re building
what we’re prioritizing
and what goals actually fit who we are

If you’re the type that likes structured planning, it’s worth checking out.

Sad Joe Burrow… But I’m Still a 10/10 Optimist

Yes, Joe looked sad.

And yes, Bengals fans are understandably nervous.

But I said it on the Live, and I’ll say it here: I think he’s sad AND calculated. And I also think the Bengals can bounce back.

A few reasons I shared:

We have Joe Burrow (that’s the whole game)
injuries derailed things in a way no team can absorb
the offense is legit and fun
cap space and focus can finally go toward fixing defense
the franchise has proven it can find ascending free agents when it actually tries

I’m bringing optimism. Always.

Thinking About Moving to Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky?

If you’re relocating and want help narrowing down the right area — reach out.

You’ll talk to me directly or work with someone on my team, and I oversee it all. If you’re not ready, grab our free relocation guides (family, young professionals, and international).

Team Sztanyo — find your home, strengthen your family.