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City Report · MI

Niles

Pop. 11,803·89th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,094/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.8%
vs US Median
-$868
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Niles · $1,094
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,094/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$44,000/yr
Local median income
$51,376/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Niles's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,530
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,090/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,094 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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$13,128/yr
At $1,094/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Niles, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 17% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,803
Median income
$51,376
Median age
39.2
Renters
36.8%
Age distribution
21.4%
23.5%
22.9%
20.6%
Under 1821.4%
18–3423.5%
35–5422.9%
55–6411.6%
65+20.6%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
74.7%
13.9%
White74.7%
Black13.9%
Hispanic7%
Asian0.5%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
34.9%
37.2%
17%
No HS diploma11%
HS diploma34.9%
Some college37.2%
Bachelor's+17%
Housing tenure
63.2%
36.8%
Owner63.2%
Renter36.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Niles, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,306 → $51,376
up 24.4%
Population
11,929 → 11,803
down 1.1%
Renter share
41.7% → 36.8%
-4.9 pts
Bachelor's+
17.1% → 17%
-0.1 pts
Median age
38.3 → 39.2
+0.9 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $41,306 in 2021 to $51,376 more recently. Census counts show Niles, MI losing about 126 residents over the five-year window, down 1.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 41.7% to 36.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Niles

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

Can you afford rent in Niles on your salary?

At $1,094/mo, how Niles rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Niles rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Niles

About renting in Niles, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Niles is $1,094/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($51,376/yr), Niles ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Niles an affordable city for renters?

Niles is considered affordable for renters. At $1,094/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($51,376/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Niles falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Niles?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,094/mo in Niles. The local median household income is $51,376/yr, meaning the typical Niles household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Niles?

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

How does Niles rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Niles is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #89 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,094/mo.

What percentage of Niles residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.8% of Niles households are renters, while 63.2% are owner-occupied. Niles leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Niles rent compare to the national average?

Niles's median rent of $1,094/mo is $868 (44%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #89 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,094/mo, rent takes ~26% of Niles's median household income ($51,376/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Niles 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Niles affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Niles, MI

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