Rents are right about where Kentwood'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 $1,565 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 Kentwood is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2022.
Rent in Kentwood changed +6.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 79 Michigan cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($74,373) is $1,859 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,840); a 4-bedroom is $2,013.
The priciest of 4 ZIP codes in Kentwood, 49508 ($1,779/mo), costs 25% more than the cheapest, 49548 ($1,424/mo).
Northview, 10 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,289/mo), about $3,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Kentwood. 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
Kentwood, MI is majority owner-occupied, 36.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Kentwood, MI has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Kentwood, MI has shifted from $1,293 to $1,565, up 21.0% since 2023. On the earnings side, the typical household in Kentwood, MI now reports about $74,373, up from $60,505 in 2021. The renter share has eased from 41.5% to 38.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Kentwood, MI reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Kentwood on your salary?
At $1,565/mo, how Kentwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Kentwood rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Kentwood. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Kentwood
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Kentwood is $1,565/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,413/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,185/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,840/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($74,373/yr), Kentwood ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Kentwood?
Is rent going up or down in Kentwood?
Which Kentwood neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Kentwood rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
At $1,565/mo, rent takes ~25% of Kentwood's median household income ($74,373/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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