City Report · MI

Midland

Pop. 42,724·59th most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Midland, MI
Median rent (all units)
$1,433/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.5%
Month-over-Month
-3.4%
vs US Median
-$529
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Midland · $1,433
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
74/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Midland's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,433/mo
Expected by trend
$1,625/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Midland's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$895
1 BR
$905
2 BR
$1,175
3 BR
$1,520
4 BR+
$1,585
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,175/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,433 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
$17,196/yr
At $1,433/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.5% YoY, -3.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Midland, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 44.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
42,724
Median income
$73,325
Median age
39.3
Renters
32.9%
Age distribution
21.2%
22.1%
23.1%
13.2%
20.4%
Under 1821.2%
18–3422.1%
35–5423.1%
55–6413.2%
65+20.4%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
88.1%
White88.1%
Black2%
Hispanic4.6%
Asian3.3%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
22.9%
29.6%
44.6%
No HS diploma2.9%
HS diploma22.9%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+44.6%
Housing tenure
67.1%
32.9%
Owner67.1%
Renter32.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Midland, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,297 → $1,433
up 10.5%
Income
$67,558 → $73,325
up 8.5%
Population
42,425 → 42,724
up 0.7%
Renter share
34.4% → 32.9%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
44.8% → 44.6%
-0.2 pts
Median age
37.9 → 39.3
+1.4 yrs

Rent in Midland, MI has increased 10.5% since 2022, going from about $1,297 per month to roughly $1,433 today. Median household income grew from $67,558 to $73,325 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.5% shift. About 32.9% of households rent today, against 34.4% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Midland, MI reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Midland

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

Can you afford rent in Midland on your salary?

At $1,433/mo, how Midland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Midland rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Midland

About renting in Midland, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Midland is $1,433/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $895/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,175/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $905/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,520/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($73,325/yr), Midland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Midland an affordable city for renters?

Midland is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,433/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($73,325/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Midland falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Midland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,433/mo in Midland. The local median household income is $73,325/yr, meaning the typical Midland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Midland?

Rent in Midland has decreased 3.5% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Midland neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Midland are 48640 ($1,207/mo), and 48642 ($1,639/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Midland is $1,433/mo.

How does Midland rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Midland is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #59 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,433/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Midland?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Midland ($1,433/mo): Flint ($957/mo), Bay City ($964/mo), Mount Pleasant ($1,051/mo).

What percentage of Midland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.9% of Midland households are renters, while 67.1% are owner-occupied. Midland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Midland rent compare to the national average?

Midland's median rent of $1,433/mo is $529 (27%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #59 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,433/mo, rent takes ~23% of Midland's median household income ($73,325/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Midland 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Midland affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Midland
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Midland, MI

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