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City Report · MI

Jackson

Pop. 31,058·86th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,140/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
-$825
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Jackson · $1,140
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Jackson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,140/mo
Expected by trend
$1,240/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Jackson's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$805
1 BR
$935
2 BR
$1,145
3 BR
$1,515
4 BR+
$1,695
Research median
$1,145/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
$13,680/yr
At $1,140/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Jackson, MI is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,058
Median income
$44,558
Median age
35.3
Renters
45.3%
Age distribution
23.9%
25.7%
25.3%
13.3%
Under 1823.9%
18–3425.7%
35–5425.3%
55–6411.7%
65+13.3%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
64.9%
19.1%
White64.9%
Black19.1%
Hispanic6.8%
Asian0.5%
Other8.6%
Education (25+)
39.4%
33%
16.1%
No HS diploma11.4%
HS diploma39.4%
Some college33%
Bachelor's+16.1%
Housing tenure
54.7%
45.3%
Owner54.7%
Renter45.3%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Jackson, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$942 → $1,140
up 21.0%
Income
$38,298 → $44,558
up 16.3%
Population
31,810 → 31,058
down 2.4%
Renter share
45.3% → 45.3%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
15.2% → 16.1%
+0.9 pts
Median age
34.7 → 35.3
+0.6 yrs

Rent in Jackson, MI has increased 21.0% since 2022, going from about $942 per month to roughly $1,140 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $38,298 in 2021 to $44,558 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 31,810 to 31,058 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.4% change. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Jackson, MI market of 2022.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Jackson on your salary?

At $1,140/mo, how Jackson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Jackson rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jackson

About renting in Jackson, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Jackson is $1,140/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $805/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,145/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $935/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,515/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($44,558/yr), Jackson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jackson an affordable city for renters?

Jackson is considered moderate for renters. At $1,140/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($44,558/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jackson slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Jackson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,140/mo in Jackson. The local median household income is $44,558/yr, meaning the typical Jackson household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jackson?

Rent in Jackson has increased 1.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Jackson neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Jackson are 49201 ($1,127/mo), and 49203 ($1,205/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Jackson is $1,140/mo.

How does Jackson rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Jackson is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #86 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,140/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Jackson?

Adrian is nearby and more affordable at $1,100/mo, which is $40 less than Jackson.

What percentage of Jackson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.3% of Jackson households are renters, while 54.7% are owner-occupied. Jackson leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Jackson rent compare to the national average?

Jackson's median rent of $1,140/mo is $825 (42%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #86 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,140/mo, rent takes ~31% of Jackson's median household income ($44,558/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Jackson 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
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Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Jackson
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Jackson, MI

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