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City Report · MI

River Rouge

Pop. 7,008·101st most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,000/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$962
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
River Rouge · $1,000
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,000/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
$41,053/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using River Rouge's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,440
4 BR+
$1,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,000 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
$12,000/yr
At $1,000/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

River Rouge, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,008
Median income
$41,053
Median age
34.4
Renters
42.7%
Age distribution
24.2%
27.4%
22.5%
13.2%
12.7%
Under 1824.2%
18–3427.4%
35–5422.5%
55–6413.2%
65+12.7%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
32%
45.5%
17%
White32%
Black45.5%
Hispanic17%
Other5.5%
Education (25+)
22.3%
43.7%
27.4%
No HS diploma22.3%
HS diploma43.7%
Some college27.4%
Bachelor's+6.6%
Housing tenure
57.3%
42.7%
Owner57.3%
Renter42.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How River Rouge, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$24,023 → $41,053
up 70.9%
Population
7,257 → 7,008
down 3.4%
Renter share
50.1% → 42.7%
-7.4 pts
Bachelor's+
8.6% → 6.6%
-2.0 pts
Median age
36.2 → 34.4
-1.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $24,023 in 2021 to $41,053 more recently. The population has contracted by 3.4% since 2021, moving from about 7,257 residents to roughly 7,008. Renters now make up 42.7% of households, compared with 50.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 6.6% of adults here, versus 8.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about River Rouge

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View River Rouge rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in River Rouge on your salary?

At $1,000/mo, how River Rouge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

River Rouge rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in River Rouge

About renting in River Rouge, MI

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in River Rouge is $1,000/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,440/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($41,053/yr), River Rouge ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is River Rouge an affordable city for renters?

River Rouge is considered affordable for renters. At $1,000/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($41,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. River Rouge falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in River Rouge?

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 $1,000/mo in River Rouge. The local median household income is $41,053/yr, meaning the typical River Rouge household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in River Rouge?

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

How does River Rouge rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

River Rouge is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #101 out of 107 tracked cities at $1,000/mo.

What percentage of River Rouge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.7% of River Rouge households are renters, while 57.3% are owner-occupied. River Rouge leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does River Rouge rent compare to the national average?

River Rouge's median rent of $1,000/mo is $962 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #101 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,000/mo, rent takes ~29% of River Rouge's median household income ($41,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near River Rouge, MI

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