ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 49001

Part of Kalamazoo, MI

Pop. 20,946·Kalamazoo County·142nd most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,190/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

-$742

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 49001 · $1,190

More affordable than 92% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$820

1 BR

$980

2 BR

$1,140

3 BR

$1,500

4 BR+

$1,540

Research median

$1,140/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 49001 changed +11.1% 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 13 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($56,432) is $1,411 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,140); a 3-bedroom is $1,500.

Rank in Kalamazoo

1st cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Kalamazoo.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 49001. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$14,280/yr

At $1,190/mo median

Location

CityKalamazoo

StateMI

CountyKalamazoo County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.1% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 49001 (Kalamazoo, MI) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 30.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

20,946

Median income

$56,432

Median age

32.8

Renters

48.1%

Age distribution

24.3%

29.1%

23.4%

Under 1824.3%

18–3429.1%

35–5423.4%

55–6411.6%

65+11.6%

Gender

49.3%

50.7%

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

Race & ethnicity

54.8%

25%

13.8%

White54.8%

Black25%

Hispanic13.8%

Asian2.6%

Other3.8%

Education (25+)

26.2%

34.8%

30.3%

No HS diploma8.8%

HS diploma26.2%

Some college34.8%

Bachelor's+30.3%

Housing tenure

51.9%

48.1%

Owner51.9%

Renter48.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 49001 in Kalamazoo, MI has changed in 5 years

Income

$49,414 → $56,432

up 14.2%

Population

20,741 → 20,946

up 1.0%

Renter share

48% → 48.1%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

30.6% → 30.3%

-0.3 pts

Median age

31.3 → 32.8

+1.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 49001 in Kalamazoo, MI now reports about $56,432, up from $49,414 in 2021. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 20,741 residents to roughly 20,946.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 49001

About renting in ZIP 49001

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 49001 covers Kalamazoo, MI. The median rent here is $1,190/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $980/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,140/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($56,432/yr), ZIP 49001 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 49001?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (about $23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,190/mo in ZIP 49001. The local median household income is $56,432/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 49001?

Rent in ZIP 49001 has risen 11.1% over the past year.

How does ZIP 49001 compare to other ZIPs in Michigan?

ZIP 49001 is one of the more affordable among Michigan ZIP codes for rent, ranking #142 of 168 at $1,190/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 49001 changed +11.1%, against a typical +4.4% across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks.