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City Report · MI

Melvindale

Pop. 12,554·90th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,113/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.3%
vs US Median
-$849
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Melvindale · $1,113
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,113/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$42,185/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Melvindale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,070
2 BR
$1,350
3 BR
$1,650
4 BR+
$1,790
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,350/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,113 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,356/yr
At $1,113/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
12,554
Median income
$42,185
Median age
31.3
Renters
39.2%
Age distribution
32.3%
22.2%
23.1%
Under 1832.3%
18–3422.2%
35–5423.1%
55–6411.7%
65+10.6%
Gender
52.2%
47.8%
Male52.2%
Female47.8%
Race & ethnicity
68.4%
26.5%
White68.4%
Black10.4%
Hispanic26.5%
Education (25+)
28.3%
37.6%
20.2%
14%
No HS diploma28.3%
HS diploma37.6%
Some college20.2%
Bachelor's+14%
Housing tenure
60.8%
39.2%
Owner60.8%
Renter39.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Melvindale, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,700 → $42,185
up 14.9%
Population
12,534 → 12,554
up 0.2%
Renter share
41.4% → 39.2%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
12.9% → 14%
+1.1 pts
Median age
35.5 → 31.3
-4.2 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Melvindale

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

Can you afford rent in Melvindale on your salary?

At $1,113/mo, how Melvindale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Melvindale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Melvindale

About renting in Melvindale, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Melvindale is $1,113/mo as of August 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 32% of local median household income ($42,185/yr), Melvindale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Melvindale an affordable city for renters?

Melvindale is considered moderate for renters. At $1,113/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($42,185/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Melvindale slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Melvindale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,113/mo in Melvindale. The local median household income is $42,185/yr, meaning the typical Melvindale household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Melvindale?

Rent in Melvindale has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Melvindale rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Melvindale is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #90 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,113/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melvindale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Melvindale ($1,113/mo): River Rouge ($1,000/mo), Ecorse ($1,089/mo).

What percentage of Melvindale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Melvindale households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Melvindale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Melvindale rent compare to the national average?

Melvindale's median rent of $1,113/mo is $849 (43%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #90 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,113/mo, rent takes ~32% of Melvindale's median household income ($42,185/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Melvindale 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Melvindale affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Melvindale, MI

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