The Michigan rental market
Michigan tracks median rent across 100 cities, ranging from Flint at $927/mo to Bloomfield Hills at $2,718/mo. The state average of $1,564/mo runs about 19% below the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Michigan cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +4.5% over the past year. 14 of 107 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 93 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 1 of 100 Michigan cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
40 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Birmingham ($2,682/mo) costs 2.9 times as much as Flint ($927/mo).
Across 31 Michigan cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in February and peak in August, a typical swing of 1.5%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent grew faster than median household income in 19 of 21 Michigan cities with both figures. See where the gap is widest.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Michigan cities, as of September 2026. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates).
Michigan rent questions
What is the average rent in Michigan?
The average median rent across 100 tracked cities in Michigan is $1,564/mo, about 19% below the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Michigan city has the highest rent?
Bloomfield Hills has the highest median rent in Michigan at $2,718/mo.
Which Michigan city has the most affordable rent?
Flint is the most affordable tracked city in Michigan, with a median rent of $927/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Michigan?
Across Michigan cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +4.5% over the past year.
How does Michigan rent compare to the rest of the country?
14 of 107 tracked Michigan cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 93 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Michigan?
By population, the largest rental markets in Michigan are Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.