At $1,163/mo, rent takes about 33% 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 $1,163 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 Melvindale changed +9.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 79 Michigan cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($42,185) is $1,055 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($970); a 1-bedroom is $1,070.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Melvindale. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Melvindale, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 14% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Melvindale, MI has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $36,700 in 2021 to $42,185 more recently. The renter share has eased from 41.4% to 39.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
Discussions about Melvindale
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Melvindale on your salary?
At $1,163/mo, how Melvindale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Melvindale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Melvindale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Melvindale
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Melvindale is $1,163/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,350/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,070/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,650/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($42,185/yr), Melvindale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Melvindale?
Is rent going up or down in Melvindale?
How does Melvindale rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melvindale?
At $1,163/mo, rent takes ~33% of Melvindale's median household income ($42,185/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Melvindale.
No discussions yet.