City Report · MI

Dearborn

Pop. 107,423·29th most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Dearborn, MI
Median rent (all units)
$1,736/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.1%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
-$226
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dearborn · $1,736
More affordable than 58% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
54/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Dearborn's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,736/mo
Expected by trend
$1,771/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Dearborn's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,015
1 BR
$1,120
2 BR
$1,415
3 BR
$1,730
4 BR+
$1,880
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,415/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,736 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
$20,832/yr
At $1,736/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.1% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Dearborn, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 34.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
107,423
Median income
$65,324
Median age
33.3
Renters
31.6%
Age distribution
28.7%
23.6%
23.4%
13.7%
Under 1828.7%
18–3423.6%
35–5423.4%
55–6410.6%
65+13.7%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
88%
White88%
Black3.7%
Hispanic2.7%
Asian1.8%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
15.9%
22.5%
27%
34.6%
No HS diploma15.9%
HS diploma22.5%
Some college27%
Bachelor's+34.6%
Housing tenure
68.4%
31.6%
Owner68.4%
Renter31.6%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Dearborn, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,453 → $1,736
up 19.5%
Income
$60,184 → $65,324
up 8.5%
Population
107,985 → 107,423
down 0.5%
Renter share
32% → 31.6%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
34.2% → 34.6%
+0.4 pts
Median age
32.1 → 33.3
+1.2 yrs

The median rent in Dearborn, MI stood at $1,453 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,736, reflecting a 19.5% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $60,184 to $65,324 across the same window, up 8.5% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Dearborn, MI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Dearborn on your salary?

At $1,736/mo, how Dearborn rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dearborn rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dearborn

About renting in Dearborn, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Dearborn is $1,736/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,015/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,415/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,730/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($65,324/yr), Dearborn ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dearborn an affordable city for renters?

Dearborn is considered moderate for renters. At $1,736/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($65,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dearborn slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Dearborn?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,736/mo in Dearborn. The local median household income is $65,324/yr, meaning the typical Dearborn household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dearborn?

Rent in Dearborn has increased 2.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Dearborn neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Dearborn are 48124 ($1,739/mo), and 48126 ($1,758/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Dearborn is $1,736/mo.

How does Dearborn rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Dearborn is one of the pricier cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #29 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,736/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dearborn?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dearborn ($1,736/mo): River Rouge ($1,000/mo), Ecorse ($1,089/mo), Melvindale ($1,113/mo).

What percentage of Dearborn residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.6% of Dearborn households are renters, while 68.4% are owner-occupied. Dearborn leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dearborn rent compare to the national average?

Dearborn's median rent of $1,736/mo is $226 (12%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #29 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,736/mo, rent takes ~32% of Dearborn's median household income ($65,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dearborn 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Dearborn affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Dearborn
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dearborn, MI

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