How much does it cost to rent in Ypsilanti, MI?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Ypsilanti, MI is $1,435. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Ypsilanti cheaper than other Michigan cities?

Ypsilanti falls in the middle range for Michigan, ranking #60 out of 95 cities at $1,435/mo.

When was Ypsilanti rent data last updated?

Ypsilanti rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MI

Ypsilanti

Name: Average Rent Prices in Ypsilanti, MI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 19,857·60th most expensive in Michigan·Ypsilanti rents are up 18.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,435/mo

Year-over-Year

+18.0%

Month-over-Month

-2.2%

vs US Median

-$530

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Ypsilanti · $1,435

More affordable than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

38/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% above what Ypsilanti's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,435/mo

Expected by trend

$1,354/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ypsilanti's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,130

1 BR

$1,150

2 BR

$1,370

3 BR

$1,655

4 BR+

$1,840

Research median

$1,370/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,220/yr

At $1,435/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 18.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+18.0% YoY, -2.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Ypsilanti, MI is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 46.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

19,857

Median income

$46,588

Median age

27.7

Renters

66.8%

Age distribution

14.8%

49.4%

18.9%

Under 1814.8%

18–3449.4%

35–5418.9%

55–647.2%

65+9.7%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

57.3%

24.9%

White57.3%

Black24.9%

Hispanic9%

Asian5.2%

Other3.7%

Education (25+)

16.8%

30.6%

46.9%

No HS diploma5.8%

HS diploma16.8%

Some college30.6%

Bachelor's+46.9%

Housing tenure

33.2%

66.8%

Owner33.2%

Renter66.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ypsilanti, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$958 → $1,435

up 49.8%

Income

$40,256 → $46,588

up 15.7%

Population

20,448 → 19,857

down 2.9%

Renter share

65.9% → 66.8%

+0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

43% → 46.9%

+3.9 pts

Median age

25.7 → 27.7

+2.0 yrs

Rent in Ypsilanti, MI has climbed 49.8% since 2021, going from about $958 per month to roughly $1,435 today. Household income in the area moved from $40,256 to $46,588 across the same window, up 15.7% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 34.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 20,448 to 19,857 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 43% to 46.9%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Ypsilanti, MI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Ypsilanti

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View Ypsilanti rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ypsilanti on your salary?

At $1,435/mo, how Ypsilanti rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $90,701/yr · Rent = 19% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $64,397/yr · Rent = 26.7% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $74,179/yr · Rent = 23.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $132,586/yr · Rent = 13% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $169,411/yr · Rent = 10.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $60,298/yr · Rent = 28.6% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $54,442/yr · Rent = 31.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $67,104/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

By apartment size

Ypsilanti rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ypsilanti

About renting in Ypsilanti, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Ypsilanti is $1,435/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,655/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($46,588/yr), Ypsilanti ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 18.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ypsilanti an affordable city for renters?

Ypsilanti is considered moderate for renters. At $1,435/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($46,588/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ypsilanti slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Ypsilanti?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,435/mo in Ypsilanti. The local median household income is $46,588/yr, meaning the typical Ypsilanti household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ypsilanti?

Rent in Ypsilanti has increased 18.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Ypsilanti neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Ypsilanti are 48197 ($1,420/mo), and 48198 ($1,604/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Ypsilanti is $1,435/mo.

How does Ypsilanti rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Ypsilanti is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #60 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,435/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ypsilanti?

Belleville is nearby and more affordable at $1,372/mo, which is $63 less than Ypsilanti.

What percentage of Ypsilanti residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 66.8% of Ypsilanti households are renters, while 33.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Ypsilanti has a strong rental market.

How does Ypsilanti rent compare to the national average?

Ypsilanti's median rent of $1,435/mo is $530 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #60 out of 95 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $1,435/mo, rent takes ~37% of Ypsilanti's median household income ($46,588/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ypsilanti 37%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.25%

Run the Ypsilanti affordability calculator →

Nearby cities