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City Report · MI

Trenton

Pop. 18,125·70th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,295/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-19.1%
vs US Median
-$670
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Trenton · $1,295
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,295/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$52,000/yr
Local median income
$82,212/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Trenton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$584
1 BR
$764
2 BR
$913
3 BR
$1,654
4 BR+
$1,172
Research median
$913/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,540/yr
At $1,295/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, -19.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Trenton, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,125
Median income
$82,212
Median age
48.2
Renters
16.7%
Age distribution
20.2%
13.7%
26.7%
15.4%
24%
Under 1820.2%
18–3413.7%
35–5426.7%
55–6415.4%
65+24%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
88.4%
White88.4%
Black2.7%
Hispanic4.4%
Asian0.5%
Other4%
Education (25+)
32.1%
36.8%
27.5%
No HS diploma3.6%
HS diploma32.1%
Some college36.8%
Bachelor's+27.5%
Housing tenure
83.3%
16.7%
Owner83.3%
Renter16.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Trenton, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$70,725 → $82,212
up 16.2%
Population
18,489 → 18,125
down 2.0%
Renter share
18.3% → 16.7%
-1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
25.7% → 27.5%
+1.8 pts
Median age
48.9 → 48.2
-0.7 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Trenton, MI now reports about $82,212, up from $70,725 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,489 to 18,125 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.0% change. About 16.7% of households rent today, against 18.3% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Trenton on your salary?

At $1,295/mo, how Trenton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Trenton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Trenton

About renting in Trenton, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Trenton is $1,295/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $584/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $913/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $764/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,654/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($82,212/yr), Trenton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Trenton an affordable city for renters?

Trenton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,295/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($82,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Trenton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Trenton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,295/mo in Trenton. The local median household income is $82,212/yr, meaning the typical Trenton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Trenton?

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

How does Trenton rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Trenton is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #70 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,295/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Trenton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Trenton ($1,295/mo): Wyandotte ($1,206/mo), Riverview ($1,210/mo), Lincoln Park ($1,263/mo).

What percentage of Trenton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.7% of Trenton households are renters, while 83.3% are owner-occupied. Trenton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Trenton rent compare to the national average?

Trenton's median rent of $1,295/mo is $670 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #70 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,295/mo, rent takes ~19% of Trenton's median household income ($82,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Trenton 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Trenton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Trenton, MI

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