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City Report · MI

Saint Joseph

·36th most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Saint Joseph, MI
Median rent (all units)
$1,635/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-8.0%
vs US Median
-$327
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Saint Joseph · $1,635
More affordable than 67% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,635/mo, rent takes about 27% of the US median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$65,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Saint Joseph's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$1,000
2 BR
$1,310
3 BR
$1,690
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 $1,635 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
$19,620/yr
At $1,635/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -8.0% MoM), not inventory.
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View Saint Joseph rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Saint Joseph on your salary?

At $1,635/mo, how Saint Joseph rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Saint Joseph rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Saint Joseph

About renting in Saint Joseph, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Saint Joseph is $1,635/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,690/mo.

At 27% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Saint Joseph ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Saint Joseph an affordable city for renters?

Saint Joseph is considered affordable for renters. At $1,635/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Saint Joseph falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Saint Joseph?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,635/mo in Saint Joseph.

Is rent going up or down in Saint Joseph?

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

How does Saint Joseph rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Saint Joseph is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #36 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,635/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Saint Joseph?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Saint Joseph ($1,635/mo): Stevensville ($938/mo), Niles ($1,094/mo), Mishawaka ($1,280/mo).

How does Saint Joseph rent compare to the national average?

Saint Joseph's median rent of $1,635/mo is $327 (17%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #36 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,635/mo, rent takes ~27% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Saint Joseph 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Saint Joseph affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Saint Joseph
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Saint Joseph, MI

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