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City Report · MI

Melvindale

Pop. 12,554·91st most expensive in Michigan·Melvindale rents are up 17.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,078/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.4%
Month-over-Month
-3.8%
vs US Median
-$887
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Melvindale · $1,078
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,078/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$43,000/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
Research median
$1,350/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
$12,936/yr
At $1,078/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.4% YoY, -3.8% 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

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

Can you afford rent in Melvindale on your salary?

At $1,078/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Melvindale is $1,078/mo as of July 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 31% of local median household income ($42,185/yr), Melvindale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Melvindale an affordable city for renters?

Melvindale is considered moderate for renters. At $1,078/mo, rent takes approximately 31% 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 $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,078/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 increased 17.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Melvindale rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Melvindale is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #91 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,078/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melvindale?

River Rouge is nearby and more affordable at $1,000/mo, which is $78 less than Melvindale.

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 $1,078/mo is $887 (45%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #91 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,078/mo, rent takes ~31% of Melvindale's median household income ($42,185/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Melvindale 31%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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