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City Report · MI

Paw Paw

Pop. 3,289·102nd most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$995/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$967
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Paw Paw · $995
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $995/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$41,587/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Paw Paw's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$690
1 BR
$760
2 BR
$1,000
3 BR
$1,300
4 BR+
$1,330
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,000/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $995 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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$11,940/yr
At $995/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, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Paw Paw, MI is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,289
Median income
$41,587
Median age
35.6
Renters
51.2%
Age distribution
26.8%
22.7%
20.1%
12.1%
18.3%
Under 1826.8%
18–3422.7%
35–5420.1%
55–6412.1%
65+18.3%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
81.3%
12.8%
White81.3%
Black2.6%
Hispanic12.8%
Asian3.1%
Education (25+)
41.2%
38.5%
15.4%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma41.2%
Some college38.5%
Bachelor's+15.4%
Housing tenure
48.8%
51.2%
Owner48.8%
Renter51.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Paw Paw, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,464 → $41,587
down 15.9%
Population
3,390 → 3,289
down 3.0%
Renter share
46.4% → 51.2%
+4.8 pts
Bachelor's+
10.8% → 15.4%
+4.6 pts
Median age
31.5 → 35.6
+4.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Paw Paw, MI now reports about $41,587, up from $49,464 in 2021. Census counts show Paw Paw, MI losing about 101 residents over the five-year window, down 3.0% on net. The renter share has risen from 46.4% to 51.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 10.8% to 15.4% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Paw Paw on your salary?

At $995/mo, how Paw Paw rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Paw Paw rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Paw Paw

About renting in Paw Paw, MI

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Paw Paw is $995/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $690/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $760/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,300/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($41,587/yr), Paw Paw ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Paw Paw an affordable city for renters?

Paw Paw is considered affordable for renters. At $995/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($41,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Paw Paw falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Paw Paw?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $995/mo in Paw Paw. The local median household income is $41,587/yr, meaning the typical Paw Paw household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Paw Paw?

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

How does Paw Paw rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Paw Paw is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #102 out of 107 tracked cities at $995/mo.

What percentage of Paw Paw residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.2% of Paw Paw households are renters, while 48.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Paw Paw has a strong rental market.

How does Paw Paw rent compare to the national average?

Paw Paw's median rent of $995/mo is $967 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #102 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $995/mo, rent takes ~29% of Paw Paw's median household income ($41,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Paw Paw 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Paw Paw affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Paw Paw, MI

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