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City Report · MI

Wayne

Pop. 17,310·78th most expensive in Michigan·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,258/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.8%
Month-over-Month
-1.8%
vs US Median
-$704
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wayne · $1,258
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,258/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$59,038/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wayne's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,440
4 BR+
$1,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,258 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
$15,096/yr
At $1,258/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.8% YoY, -1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wayne, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,310
Median income
$59,038
Median age
42.5
Renters
39.3%
Age distribution
20.5%
20%
27.7%
14.5%
17.3%
Under 1820.5%
18–3420%
35–5427.7%
55–6414.5%
65+17.3%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
63.9%
25.1%
White63.9%
Black25.1%
Hispanic3.8%
Asian1.3%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
37.2%
34.6%
17.5%
No HS diploma10.7%
HS diploma37.2%
Some college34.6%
Bachelor's+17.5%
Housing tenure
60.7%
39.3%
Owner60.7%
Renter39.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wayne, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$47,621 → $59,038
up 24.0%
Population
17,624 → 17,310
down 1.8%
Renter share
42.1% → 39.3%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
14.3% → 17.5%
+3.2 pts
Median age
39.6 → 42.5
+2.9 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $47,621 in 2021 to $59,038 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 17,624 to 17,310 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.8% change. About 39.3% of households rent today, against 42.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 14.3% to 17.5%.

Community

Discussions about Wayne

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

Can you afford rent in Wayne on your salary?

At $1,258/mo, how Wayne rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wayne rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wayne

About renting in Wayne, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Wayne is $1,258/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,440/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($59,038/yr), Wayne ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wayne an affordable city for renters?

Wayne is considered affordable for renters. At $1,258/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($59,038/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wayne falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wayne?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,258/mo in Wayne. The local median household income is $59,038/yr, meaning the typical Wayne household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wayne?

Rent in Wayne has increased 2.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Wayne rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Wayne is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #78 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,258/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wayne?

Romulus is nearby and more affordable at $1,225/mo, which is $33 less than Wayne.

What percentage of Wayne residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.3% of Wayne households are renters, while 60.7% are owner-occupied. Wayne leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wayne rent compare to the national average?

Wayne's median rent of $1,258/mo is $704 (36%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #78 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,258/mo, rent takes ~26% of Wayne's median household income ($59,038/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wayne 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Wayne affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wayne, MI

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