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City Report · MI

Romulus

Pop. 24,831·82nd most expensive in Michigan·Romulus rents are up 30.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,225/mo
Year-over-Year
+30.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
-$737
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Romulus · $1,225
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,225/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$69,151/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Romulus's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,310
3 BR
$1,600
4 BR+
$1,740
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,310/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,225 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
$14,700/yr
At $1,225/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 30.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+30.5% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Romulus, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,831
Median income
$69,151
Median age
37.9
Renters
30.1%
Age distribution
25.4%
22.7%
24.1%
12.1%
15.8%
Under 1825.4%
18–3422.7%
35–5424.1%
55–6412.1%
65+15.8%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
44.4%
44.6%
White44.4%
Black44.6%
Hispanic1.6%
Other9.3%
Education (25+)
37.5%
36.5%
16.2%
No HS diploma9.7%
HS diploma37.5%
Some college36.5%
Bachelor's+16.2%
Housing tenure
69.9%
30.1%
Owner69.9%
Renter30.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Romulus, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$64,712 → $69,151
up 6.9%
Population
24,977 → 24,831
down 0.6%
Renter share
31.4% → 30.1%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
17.4% → 16.2%
-1.2 pts
Median age
35.9 → 37.9
+2.0 yrs

Median household income grew from $64,712 to $69,151 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.9% shift.

Community

Discussions about Romulus

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

Can you afford rent in Romulus on your salary?

At $1,225/mo, how Romulus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Romulus rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Romulus

About renting in Romulus, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Romulus is $1,225/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,600/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($69,151/yr), Romulus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 30.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Romulus an affordable city for renters?

Romulus is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,225/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($69,151/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Romulus falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Romulus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,225/mo in Romulus. The local median household income is $69,151/yr, meaning the typical Romulus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Romulus?

Rent in Romulus has increased 30.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Romulus rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Romulus is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #82 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,225/mo.

What percentage of Romulus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.1% of Romulus households are renters, while 69.9% are owner-occupied. Romulus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Romulus rent compare to the national average?

Romulus's median rent of $1,225/mo is $737 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #82 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,225/mo, rent takes ~21% of Romulus's median household income ($69,151/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Romulus 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Romulus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Romulus, MI

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