Rents are 7% below what Detroit'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 $1,347 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
Detroit, MI is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Detroit, MI has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Detroit, MI stood at $1,011 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,347, reflecting a 33.2% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $39,938 today, compared with $34,762 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 645,658 residents to roughly 638,530. Renters now make up 49.7% of households, compared with 51.7% five years ago. 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 Detroit on your salary?
At $1,347/mo, how Detroit rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Detroit rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Detroit. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Detroit
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Detroit is $1,347/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $895/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,252/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $987/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,539/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($39,938/yr), Detroit ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Detroit an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Detroit?
Which Detroit neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Detroit rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Detroit?
What percentage of Detroit residents rent vs. own?
How does Detroit rent compare to the national average?
At $1,347/mo, rent takes ~40% of Detroit's median household income ($39,938/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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