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City Report · MI

Bay City

Pop. 32,320·95th most expensive in Michigan·Bay City rents have dropped 5.6%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$964/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.6%
Month-over-Month
+2.7%
vs US Median
-$1,001
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bay City · $964
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $964/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$39,000/yr
Local median income
$49,420/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bay City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$730
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,250
4 BR+
$1,340
Research median
$930/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$11,568/yr
At $964/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.6% YoY, +2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bay City, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
32,320
Median income
$49,420
Median age
40.7
Renters
29.9%
Age distribution
20.2%
23.6%
24%
14.5%
17.7%
Under 1820.2%
18–3423.6%
35–5424%
55–6414.5%
65+17.7%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
84.4%
White84.4%
Black2.1%
Hispanic11.5%
Asian0.8%
Other1.2%
Education (25+)
33.9%
36.2%
18.8%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma33.9%
Some college36.2%
Bachelor's+18.8%
Housing tenure
70.1%
29.9%
Owner70.1%
Renter29.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bay City, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,959 → $49,420
up 17.8%
Population
32,824 → 32,320
down 1.5%
Renter share
33.3% → 29.9%
-3.4 pts
Bachelor's+
16.2% → 18.8%
+2.6 pts
Median age
39 → 40.7
+1.7 yrs

Median household income grew from $41,959 to $49,420 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.8% shift. Headcount in the area went from 32,824 to 32,320 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.5% change. About 29.9% of households rent today, against 33.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 16.2% to 18.8%.

Community

Discussions about Bay City

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View Bay City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bay City on your salary?

At $964/mo, how Bay City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bay City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bay City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bay City

About renting in Bay City, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bay City is $964/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,250/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($49,420/yr), Bay City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bay City an affordable city for renters?

Bay City is considered very affordable for renters. At $964/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($49,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bay City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bay City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $39,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $964/mo in Bay City. The local median household income is $49,420/yr, meaning the typical Bay City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bay City?

Rent in Bay City has decreased 5.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Bay City rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Bay City is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #95 out of 95 tracked cities at $964/mo.

What percentage of Bay City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.9% of Bay City households are renters, while 70.1% are owner-occupied. Bay City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bay City rent compare to the national average?

Bay City's median rent of $964/mo is $1,001 (51%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #95 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $964/mo, rent takes ~23% of Bay City's median household income ($49,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bay City 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Bay City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bay City, MI

Recent submissions

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