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City Report · MI

Southgate

Pop. 29,366·51st most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Southgate, MI
Median rent (all units)
$1,499/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.5%
Month-over-Month
-7.5%
vs US Median
-$463
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Southgate · $1,499
More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Southgate's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,499/mo
Expected by trend
$1,635/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Southgate's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,020
2 BR
$1,290
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,710
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,290/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,499 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
$17,988/yr
At $1,499/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 4.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.5% YoY, -7.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Southgate, MI is majority owner-occupied, 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,366
Median income
$66,118
Median age
39.2
Renters
32.8%
Age distribution
20.3%
23.4%
24.1%
12.7%
19.5%
Under 1820.3%
18–3423.4%
35–5424.1%
55–6412.7%
65+19.5%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
79.3%
White79.3%
Black8.2%
Hispanic9.4%
Asian2.7%
Other0.5%
Education (25+)
32.1%
35.2%
21.5%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma32.1%
Some college35.2%
Bachelor's+21.5%
Housing tenure
67.2%
32.8%
Owner67.2%
Renter32.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Southgate, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,489 → $1,499
up 0.7%
Income
$60,152 → $66,118
up 9.9%
Population
29,990 → 29,366
down 2.1%
Renter share
32.7% → 32.8%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
20.8% → 21.5%
+0.7 pts
Median age
42.1 → 39.2
-2.9 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in Southgate, MI has climbed from $1,489 to $1,499, a 0.7% change over five years. Median household income rose from $60,152 to $66,118 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.9% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 29,990 residents to roughly 29,366. Taken together, the five-year picture in Southgate, MI reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Southgate on your salary?

At $1,499/mo, how Southgate rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Southgate rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Southgate

About renting in Southgate, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Southgate is $1,499/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($66,118/yr), Southgate ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Southgate an affordable city for renters?

Southgate is considered affordable for renters. At $1,499/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($66,118/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Southgate falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Southgate?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,499/mo in Southgate. The local median household income is $66,118/yr, meaning the typical Southgate household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Southgate?

Rent in Southgate has decreased 4.5% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Southgate rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Southgate is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #51 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,499/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Southgate?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Southgate ($1,499/mo): Wyandotte ($1,256/mo), Trenton ($1,295/mo), Lincoln Park ($1,376/mo).

What percentage of Southgate residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.8% of Southgate households are renters, while 67.2% are owner-occupied. Southgate leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Southgate rent compare to the national average?

Southgate's median rent of $1,499/mo is $463 (24%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #51 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,499/mo, rent takes ~27% of Southgate's median household income ($66,118/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Southgate 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Southgate affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Southgate, MI

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