City Report · MI

Warren

Pop. 137,928·68th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,353/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.2%
vs US Median
-$609
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Warren · $1,353
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Warren's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,353/mo
Expected by trend
$1,434/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Warren's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,003
1 BR
$1,100
2 BR
$1,393
3 BR
$1,707
4 BR+
$1,847
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,393/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,353 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
$16,236/yr
At $1,353/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Warren, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
137,928
Median income
$64,016
Median age
38.3
Renters
28.9%
Age distribution
21.9%
23.5%
24.9%
13.3%
16.5%
Under 1821.9%
18–3423.5%
35–5424.9%
55–6413.3%
65+16.5%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
58.8%
21.9%
12.7%
White58.8%
Black21.9%
Hispanic2.4%
Asian12.7%
Other4.2%
Education (25+)
13.9%
31.9%
33.1%
21%
No HS diploma13.9%
HS diploma31.9%
Some college33.1%
Bachelor's+21%
Housing tenure
71.1%
28.9%
Owner71.1%
Renter28.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Warren, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,022 → $1,353
up 32.4%
Income
$55,153 → $64,016
up 16.1%
Population
138,996 → 137,928
down 0.8%
Renter share
29.6% → 28.9%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
19.7% → 21%
+1.3 pts
Median age
39.1 → 38.3
-0.8 yrs

The median rent in Warren, MI stood at $1,022 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,353, reflecting a 32.4% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $55,153 to $64,016 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in Warren, 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 Warren rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Warren on your salary?

At $1,353/mo, how Warren rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Warren rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Warren

About renting in Warren, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Warren is $1,353/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,003/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,393/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,707/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($64,016/yr), Warren ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Warren an affordable city for renters?

Warren is considered affordable for renters. At $1,353/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($64,016/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Warren falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Warren?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,353/mo in Warren. The local median household income is $64,016/yr, meaning the typical Warren household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Warren?

Rent in Warren has increased 1.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Warren neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Warren are 48089 ($1,308/mo), 48091 ($1,341/mo), and 48092 ($1,629/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Warren is $1,353/mo.

How does Warren rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Warren is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #68 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,353/mo.

What percentage of Warren residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.9% of Warren households are renters, while 71.1% are owner-occupied. Warren leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Warren rent compare to the national average?

Warren's median rent of $1,353/mo is $609 (31%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #68 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,353/mo, rent takes ~25% of Warren's median household income ($64,016/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Warren, MI

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