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City Report · MI

Berkley

Pop. 15,149·6th most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Berkley, MI
Median rent (all units)
$2,244/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+7.9%
vs US Median
+$282
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Berkley · $2,244
More expensive than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,244/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$90,000/yr
Local median income
$116,239/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Berkley's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,170
1 BR
$1,290
2 BR
$1,630
3 BR
$2,000
4 BR+
$2,160
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,630/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,244 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$26,928/yr
At $2,244/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +7.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Berkley, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 58.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,149
Median income
$116,239
Median age
37.8
Renters
12.1%
Age distribution
20.4%
25.3%
26.2%
14.1%
14%
Under 1820.4%
18–3425.3%
35–5426.2%
55–6414.1%
65+14%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
85.2%
White85.2%
Black2.2%
Hispanic3.8%
Asian1%
Other7.7%
Education (25+)
12.8%
27%
58.8%
No HS diploma1.4%
HS diploma12.8%
Some college27%
Bachelor's+58.8%
Housing tenure
87.9%
12.1%
Owner87.9%
Renter12.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Berkley, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$96,993 → $116,239
up 19.8%
Population
15,234 → 15,149
down 0.6%
Renter share
16% → 12.1%
-3.9 pts
Bachelor's+
57.1% → 58.8%
+1.7 pts
Median age
37.2 → 37.8
+0.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $96,993 to $116,239 across the same window, up 19.8% versus 2021. About 12.1% of households rent today, against 16% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Berkley

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View Berkley rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Berkley on your salary?

At $2,244/mo, how Berkley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Berkley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Berkley

About renting in Berkley, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Berkley is $2,244/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,170/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,290/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,000/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($116,239/yr), Berkley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Berkley an affordable city for renters?

Berkley is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,244/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($116,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Berkley falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Berkley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $90,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,244/mo in Berkley. The local median household income is $116,239/yr, meaning the typical Berkley household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Berkley?

Rent in Berkley has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Berkley rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Berkley is one of the pricier cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #6 out of 96 tracked cities at $2,244/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Berkley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Berkley ($2,244/mo): Oak Park ($1,474/mo), Ferndale ($1,679/mo), Troy ($1,877/mo).

What percentage of Berkley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12.1% of Berkley households are renters, while 87.9% are owner-occupied. Berkley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Berkley rent compare to the national average?

Berkley's median rent of $2,244/mo is $282 (14%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #6 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,244/mo, rent takes ~23% of Berkley's median household income ($116,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Berkley 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Berkley affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Berkley
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Berkley, MI

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