ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 48161

Part of Monroe, MI

Pop. 26,304·Monroe County·154th most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,127/mo

Year-over-Year

+13.0%

Month-over-Month

+2.5%

vs US Median

-$805

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 48161 · $1,127

More affordable than 94% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$860

1 BR

$950

2 BR

$1,250

3 BR

$1,510

4 BR+

$2,020

Research median

$1,250/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Michigan

Rent in ZIP 48161 changed +13.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 11 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($67,414) is $1,685 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,510); a 4-bedroom is $2,020.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 48161. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$13,524/yr

At $1,127/mo median

Location

CityMonroe

StateMI

CountyMonroe County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 13.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+13.0% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 48161 (Monroe, MI) is majority owner-occupied, 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

26,304

Median income

$67,414

Median age

42.9

Renters

23.6%

Age distribution

18.1%

22.1%

25.2%

15.8%

18.8%

Under 1818.1%

18–3422.1%

35–5425.2%

55–6415.8%

65+18.8%

Gender

47.6%

52.4%

Male47.6%

Female52.4%

Race & ethnicity

85.4%

White85.4%

Black4.8%

Hispanic4.8%

Asian0.5%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

35.3%

19.3%

No HS diploma10.1%

HS diploma35.3%

Some college35.3%

Bachelor's+19.3%

Housing tenure

76.4%

23.6%

Owner76.4%

Renter23.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 48161 in Monroe, MI has changed in 5 years

Income

$58,214 → $67,414

up 15.8%

Population

26,901 → 26,304

down 2.2%

Renter share

27.2% → 23.6%

-3.6 pts

Bachelor's+

18.2% → 19.3%

+1.1 pts

Median age

41.2 → 42.9

+1.7 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $58,214 in 2021 to $67,414 more recently. The population has contracted by 2.2% since 2021, moving from about 26,901 residents to roughly 26,304. Renters now make up 23.6% of households, compared with 27.2% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 48161

About renting in ZIP 48161

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 48161 covers Monroe, MI. The median rent here is $1,127/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $950/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,250/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($67,414/yr), ZIP 48161 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 48161?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (about $22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,127/mo in ZIP 48161. The local median household income is $67,414/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 48161?

Rent in ZIP 48161 has risen 13.0% over the past year.

How does ZIP 48161 compare to other ZIPs in Michigan?

ZIP 48161 is one of the more affordable among Michigan ZIP codes for rent, ranking #154 of 168 at $1,127/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 48161 changed +13.0%, against a typical +4.4% across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks.