Studio Apartment Rent in Traverse City, MI
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Traverse City, Michigan as of July 2026. That's +49% lower than the citywide median of $2,005 and +20% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Traverse City
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Traverse City
Compare Traverse City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton | $584 |
| 2 | Flint | $680 |
| 3 | Bay City | $730 |
| 4 | Saginaw | $740 |
| 5 | Muskegon | $750 |
| 6 | Marquette | $760 |
| 7 | Niles | $770 |
| 8 | Battle Creek | $800 |
| 9 | Kalamazoo | $804 |
| 10 | Jackson | $805 |
| 11 | Monroe | $810 |
| 12 | Mount Pleasant | $810 |
| 13 | Grand Blanc | $830 |
| 14 | Mount Clemens | $830 |
| 15 | Port Huron | $830 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $2,193 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $1,493 |
| 3 | Birmingham | $1,490 |
| 4 | West Bloomfield | $1,355 |
| 5 | Bloomfield Hills | $1,350 |
| 6 | Commerce Township | $1,330 |
| 7 | Northville | $1,320 |
| 8 | Troy | $1,290 |
| 9 | Novi | $1,290 |
| 10 | Canton | $1,250 |
| 11 | Rochester Hills | $1,240 |
| 12 | New Hudson | $1,240 |
| 13 | Grosse Pointe Park | $1,240 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $1,220 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $1,190 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Traverse City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Traverse City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 96.5 mi | $810 | $-220 (-21%) |
| Muskegon, MI | 109 mi | $750 | $-280 (-27%) |
| Midland, MI | 119.4 mi | $895 | $-135 (-13%) |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 121.4 mi | $1,190 | +$160 (+16%) |
| Walker, MI | 122.9 mi | $1,120 | +$90 (+9%) |
| Grand Haven, MI | 124 mi | $900 | $-130 (-13%) |
| Wyoming, MI | 127.2 mi | $1,065 | +$35 (+3%) |
| Kentwood, MI | 127.6 mi | $1,140 | +$110 (+11%) |
| Grandville, MI | 128.7 mi | $1,110 | +$80 (+8%) |
| Holland, MI | 138.1 mi | $940 | $-90 (-9%) |
| Saginaw, MI | 143.7 mi | $740 | $-290 (-28%) |
| Bay City, MI | 147.5 mi | $730 | $-300 (-29%) |
Studio rent in Traverse City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Traverse City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Traverse City, Michigan is $1,030 per month. This is +49% below the citywide median of $2,005.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Traverse City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,200 ($3,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Traverse City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Traverse City's studio median of $1,030 is +20% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 30th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Traverse City rank for studio rent in Michigan?
Among the 88 cities in Michigan with studio data, Traverse City ranks #49 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Traverse City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Mount Pleasant ($810), Muskegon ($750), Midland ($895).