At $1,711/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $1,711 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($67,294) is $1,682 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,630); a 4-bedroom is $1,760.
Westland, 2 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,301/mo), about $4,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Garden City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Garden City, MI is majority owner-occupied, 15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Garden City, MI has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Garden City on your salary?
At $1,711/mo, how Garden City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Garden City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Garden City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Garden City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Garden City is $1,711/mo as of October 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 31% of local median household income ($67,294/yr), Garden City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Garden City?
How does Garden City rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
At $1,711/mo, rent takes ~31% of Garden City's median household income ($67,294/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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