Rents are right about where Howell's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,824 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
Rent in Howell is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.
Rent in Howell changed +3.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 79 Michigan cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($60,449) is $1,511 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,450); a 3-bedroom is $2,030.
Fenton, 16 miles away, rents for 19% less ($1,479/mo), about $4,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Howell. 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
Howell, MI is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 31.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Howell, MI has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Howell, MI stood at $1,625 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,824, reflecting a 12.2% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $60,449 today, compared with $52,569 five years earlier. Renters now make up 46.1% of households, compared with 53.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 31.2% of adults here, versus 28.8% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Howell on your salary?
At $1,824/mo, how Howell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Howell rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Howell. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Howell
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Howell is $1,824/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,450/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,250/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,030/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($60,449/yr), Howell ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Howell?
Is rent going up or down in Howell?
How does Howell rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Howell?
At $1,824/mo, rent takes ~36% of Howell's median household income ($60,449/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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