ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 48234

Part of Detroit, MI

Pop. 32,760·Wayne County·127th most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,274/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.8%

Month-over-Month

-0.3%

vs US Median

-$658

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 48234 · $1,274

More affordable than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$840

1 BR

$930

2 BR

$1,170

3 BR

$1,430

4 BR+

$1,550

Research median

$1,170/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 48234 changed +5.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.4%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($35,322) is $883 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($840); a 1-bedroom is $930.

Rank in Detroit

7th cheapest of 18 ZIP codes in Detroit.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 48214, 5 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,114/mo), about $1,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 48234. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,288/yr

At $1,274/mo median

Location

CityDetroit

StateMI

CountyWayne County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 48234 (Detroit, MI) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,760

Median income

$35,322

Median age

32.9

Renters

47%

Age distribution

27.1%

25.1%

20.5%

15.5%

Under 1827.1%

18–3425.1%

35–5420.5%

55–6411.7%

65+15.5%

Gender

44.5%

55.5%

Male44.5%

Female55.5%

Race & ethnicity

92.2%

White3.9%

Black92.2%

Hispanic0.7%

Other2.9%

Education (25+)

16.9%

41.9%

31.4%

No HS diploma16.9%

HS diploma41.9%

Some college31.4%

Bachelor's+9.8%

Housing tenure

53%

47%

Owner53%

Renter47%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 48234 in Detroit, MI has changed in 5 years

Income

$33,583 → $35,322

up 5.2%

Population

33,555 → 32,760

down 2.4%

Renter share

47.6% → 47%

-0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

10.2% → 9.8%

-0.4 pts

Median age

34 → 32.9

-1.1 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $33,583 to $35,322 across the same window, up 5.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 33,555 to 32,760 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.4% change.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 48234

About renting in ZIP 48234

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 48234 covers Detroit, MI. The median rent here is $1,274/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $930/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,170/mo.

At 43% of local median household income ($35,322/yr), ZIP 48234 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 48234?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,274/mo in ZIP 48234. The local median household income is $35,322/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 48234?

Rent in ZIP 48234 has risen 5.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 48234 compare to other ZIPs in Michigan?

ZIP 48234 is one of the more affordable among Michigan ZIP codes for rent, ranking #127 of 168 at $1,274/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 48234 changed +5.8%, against a typical +4.4% across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks.