Rents are 21% below what Birmingham's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,806 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Birmingham, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 76.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Birmingham, MI has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Birmingham, MI paid around $2,379 a month. That figure now sits near $2,806, up 17.9% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $153,510 today, compared with $137,907 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 25.2% to 22.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Birmingham on your salary?
At $2,806/mo, how Birmingham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Birmingham rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Birmingham. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Birmingham
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Birmingham is $2,806/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,490/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,640/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,540/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($153,510/yr), Birmingham ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How much income do you need to rent in Birmingham?
Is rent going up or down in Birmingham?
How does Birmingham rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Birmingham?
What percentage of Birmingham residents rent vs. own?
How does Birmingham rent compare to the national average?
At $2,806/mo, rent takes ~22% of Birmingham's median household income ($153,510/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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