3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bay City, MI
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Bay City, Michigan as of July 2026. That's +30% higher than the citywide median of $964 and +41% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Bay City
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bay City
Compare Bay City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Michigan
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muskegon Heights | $944 |
| 2 | Flint | $1,200 |
| 3 | Bay City (this page) | $1,250 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $1,270 |
| 5 | Muskegon | $1,320 |
| 6 | Marquette | $1,340 |
| 7 | Battle Creek | $1,363 |
| 8 | Saginaw | $1,395 |
| 9 | Niles | $1,400 |
| 10 | Lansing | $1,437 |
| 11 | Grand Blanc | $1,440 |
| 12 | Mount Clemens | $1,440 |
| 13 | Port Huron | $1,440 |
| 14 | Taylor | $1,440 |
| 15 | Wayne | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Michigan
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $2,540 |
| 2 | West Bloomfield | $2,305 |
| 3 | Bloomfield Hills | $2,300 |
| 4 | Rochester | $2,298 |
| 5 | Commerce Township | $2,270 |
| 6 | Northville | $2,220 |
| 7 | Troy | $2,200 |
| 8 | Novi | $2,195 |
| 9 | Ann Arbor | $2,175 |
| 10 | Canton | $2,130 |
| 11 | Rochester Hills | $2,120 |
| 12 | Grosse Pointe Park | $2,120 |
| 13 | New Hudson | $2,110 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $2,080 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $2,030 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Bay City.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Bay City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 13.3 mi | $1,395 | +$145 (+12%) |
| Midland, MI | 30.8 mi | $1,520 | +$270 (+22%) |
| Flint, MI | 38.6 mi | $1,200 | $-50 (-4%) |
| Grand Blanc, MI | 46.7 mi | $1,440 | +$190 (+15%) |
| Lapeer, MI | 49.5 mi | $1,460 | +$210 (+17%) |
| Fenton, MI | 55.6 mi | $1,840 | +$590 (+47%) |
| Clarkston, MI | 64.8 mi | $1,960 | +$710 (+57%) |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 65.4 mi | $1,270 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Howell, MI | 67.9 mi | $2,030 | +$780 (+62%) |
| East Lansing, MI | 69 mi | $1,650 | +$400 (+32%) |
| Dewitt, MI | 70.1 mi | $1,470 | +$220 (+18%) |
| Brighton, MI | 72.7 mi | $1,870 | +$620 (+50%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Bay City — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Bay City?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Bay City, Michigan is $1,250 per month. This is +30% higher than the citywide median of $964.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Bay City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,000 ($4,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bay City expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bay City's 3-bedroom median of $1,250 is +41% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 4th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bay City rank for 3-bedroom rent in Michigan?
Among the 90 cities in Michigan with 3-bedroom data, Bay City ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Bay City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Flint ($1,200).