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City Report · MI

Brighton

Pop. 7,688·2nd most expensive in Michigan·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$2,246/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
+$281
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brighton · $2,246
More expensive than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,246/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$90,000/yr
Local median income
$80,682/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brighton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$920
1 BR
$1,150
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,870
4 BR+
$2,100
Research median
$1,340/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
$26,952/yr
At $2,246/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brighton, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 48.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,688
Median income
$80,682
Median age
47.4
Renters
33.4%
Age distribution
14.8%
19.7%
22.7%
13.5%
29.3%
Under 1814.8%
18–3419.7%
35–5422.7%
55–6413.5%
65+29.3%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
94.9%
White94.9%
Black0.8%
Hispanic1.3%
Asian0.8%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
21.5%
26.8%
48.6%
No HS diploma3.1%
HS diploma21.5%
Some college26.8%
Bachelor's+48.6%
Housing tenure
66.6%
33.4%
Owner66.6%
Renter33.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brighton, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,726 → $80,682
up 20.9%
Population
7,462 → 7,688
up 3.0%
Renter share
34.6% → 33.4%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
47% → 48.6%
+1.6 pts
Median age
45.4 → 47.4
+2.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $66,726 to $80,682 across the same window, up 20.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 7,462 to 7,688 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change.

Community

Discussions about Brighton

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

Can you afford rent in Brighton on your salary?

At $2,246/mo, how Brighton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brighton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brighton

About renting in Brighton, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brighton is $2,246/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $920/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,870/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($80,682/yr), Brighton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brighton an affordable city for renters?

Brighton is considered moderate for renters. At $2,246/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($80,682/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brighton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Brighton?

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 $2,246/mo in Brighton. The local median household income is $80,682/yr, meaning the typical Brighton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brighton?

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

How does Brighton rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Brighton is one of the pricier cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #2 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,246/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brighton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brighton ($2,246/mo): Fenton ($1,444/mo), Northville ($1,855/mo), Howell ($2,068/mo).

What percentage of Brighton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.4% of Brighton households are renters, while 66.6% are owner-occupied. Brighton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brighton rent compare to the national average?

Brighton's median rent of $2,246/mo is $281 (14%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #2 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,246/mo, rent takes ~33% of Brighton's median household income ($80,682/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brighton 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Brighton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Brighton
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brighton, MI

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