Studio Apartment Rent in Bay City, MI
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Bay City, Michigan as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $964 and +43% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton | $584 |
| 2 | Flint | $680 |
| 3 | Bay City (this page) | $730 |
| 4 | Saginaw | $740 |
| 5 | Muskegon | $750 |
| 6 | Marquette | $760 |
| 7 | Niles | $770 |
| 8 | Battle Creek | $800 |
| 9 | Kalamazoo | $804 |
| 10 | Jackson | $805 |
| 11 | Monroe | $810 |
| 12 | Mount Pleasant | $810 |
| 13 | Grand Blanc | $830 |
| 14 | Mount Clemens | $830 |
| 15 | Port Huron | $830 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $2,193 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $1,493 |
| 3 | Birmingham | $1,490 |
| 4 | West Bloomfield | $1,355 |
| 5 | Bloomfield Hills | $1,350 |
| 6 | Commerce Township | $1,330 |
| 7 | Northville | $1,320 |
| 8 | Troy | $1,290 |
| 9 | Novi | $1,290 |
| 10 | Canton | $1,250 |
| 11 | Rochester Hills | $1,240 |
| 12 | New Hudson | $1,240 |
| 13 | Grosse Pointe Park | $1,240 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $1,220 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $1,190 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Bay City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Bay City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 13.3 mi | $740 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Midland, MI | 30.8 mi | $895 | +$165 (+23%) |
| Flint, MI | 38.6 mi | $680 | $-50 (-7%) |
| Grand Blanc, MI | 46.7 mi | $830 | +$100 (+14%) |
| Lapeer, MI | 49.5 mi | $860 | +$130 (+18%) |
| Fenton, MI | 55.6 mi | $980 | +$250 (+34%) |
| Clarkston, MI | 64.8 mi | $1,150 | +$420 (+58%) |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 65.4 mi | $810 | +$80 (+11%) |
| Howell, MI | 67.9 mi | $990 | +$260 (+36%) |
| East Lansing, MI | 69 mi | $980 | +$250 (+34%) |
| Dewitt, MI | 70.1 mi | $870 | +$140 (+19%) |
| Brighton, MI | 72.7 mi | $920 | +$190 (+26%) |
Studio rent in Bay City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Bay City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Bay City, Michigan is $730 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $964.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Bay City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $29,200 ($2,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $14.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bay City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Bay City's studio median of $730 is +43% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 4th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bay City rank for studio rent in Michigan?
Among the 88 cities in Michigan with studio data, Bay City ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Bay City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Flint ($680).