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City Report · MI

Garden City

Pop. 26,739·41st most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Garden City, MI
Median rent (all units)
$1,606/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.6%
vs US Median
-$359
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Garden City · $1,606
More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,606/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/yr
Local median income
$67,294/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Garden City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$960
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,330
3 BR
$1,630
4 BR+
$1,760
Research median
$1,330/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
$19,272/yr
At $1,606/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Garden City, MI is majority owner-occupied, 15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
26,739
Median income
$67,294
Median age
40.9
Renters
20.9%
Age distribution
20.2%
22.5%
26.2%
14.1%
17%
Under 1820.2%
18–3422.5%
35–5426.2%
55–6414.1%
65+17%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
81.6%
White81.6%
Black6.7%
Hispanic6.4%
Asian1.3%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
36.6%
39.9%
15.1%
No HS diploma8.4%
HS diploma36.6%
Some college39.9%
Bachelor's+15.1%
Housing tenure
79.1%
20.9%
Owner79.1%
Renter20.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Garden City, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,049 → $67,294
up 14.0%
Population
27,268 → 26,739
down 1.9%
Renter share
19.7% → 20.9%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
13.9% → 15.1%
+1.2 pts
Median age
41.4 → 40.9
-0.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $59,049 to $67,294 across the same window, up 14.0% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 27,268 residents to roughly 26,739.

Community

Discussions about Garden City

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View Garden City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Garden City on your salary?

At $1,606/mo, how Garden City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Garden City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Garden City

About renting in Garden City, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Garden City is $1,606/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $960/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,330/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($67,294/yr), Garden City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Garden City an affordable city for renters?

Garden City is considered affordable for renters. At $1,606/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($67,294/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Garden City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Garden City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,606/mo in Garden City. The local median household income is $67,294/yr, meaning the typical Garden City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Garden City?

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

How does Garden City rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Garden City is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #41 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,606/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Garden City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Garden City ($1,606/mo): Westland ($1,276/mo), Wayne ($1,281/mo), Inkster ($1,293/mo).

What percentage of Garden City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 20.9% of Garden City households are renters, while 79.1% are owner-occupied. Garden City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Garden City rent compare to the national average?

Garden City's median rent of $1,606/mo is $359 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #41 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,606/mo, rent takes ~29% of Garden City's median household income ($67,294/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Garden City 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Garden City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Garden City, MI

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