Lancaster, OH Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Lancaster, OH: What You Need to Know

Lancaster is a city in south-central Ohio famously associated with native sons Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, Civil War hero, and his brother U.S. Senator John Sherman. 

Local History

Originally called New Lancaster, the city was founded in 1800 by Ebenezer Zane. He blazed a trail called Zane’s Trace, a 266-mile road from Wheeling, West Virginia, through Ohio and all the way to Maysville, Kentucky. Most of the area’s early settlers came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hence its name. Both the Lancaster Lateral Canal and the arrival of the Muskingum Valley Railroad helped drive Lancaster’s economic growth.

Things to Do in Lancaster

Mount Pleasant, a 250-foot-high sandstone bluff, is a must-see for nature lovers. It’s located in Rising Park in Lancaster. Climb the top of Mount Pleasant by following the marked trail from the park through the woods. A lookout at the top will reward you with a panoramic view of the city and the Fairfield County fairgrounds. Learn about the Sherman family by visiting the Sherman House, the birthplace of both Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and his brother John Sherman. The house, built in 1811, showcases furniture used by the Shermans, Civil War artifacts, memorabilia, and a re-creation of Sherman’s Civil War field tent. 

Cost of Living

Searching for an affordable Midwestern city? Lancaster may fit the bill. The city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 10.3%, 17.2%, and 13.3% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in Lancaster is $797. The Buckeye State’s progressive income tax rate of 0% to 4.797% is relatively low, but many municipalities collect up to 3% of additional income taxes. Ohio levies 5.75% in sales tax rate. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

For a city with a population of only 40,505, Lancaster has an abundance of festivals and other community events, according to residents. It’s a friendly city with a lot of beautiful historic buildings. Some people commute to the state capital of Columbus, 33 miles from Lancaster. Pickerington and Violet Township are Columbus suburbs that are close to Lancaster and known for their superb schools. 

Shopping Local

Find unique gifts, jewelry, and locally made products in an array of shops downtown, including ceramics and pottery at Art & Clay and promotional products at Big Ideas Branding & Apparel. For a traditional mall experience, head over to the River Valley Mall, an enclosed shopping center featuring 49 stores plus movie theaters.