ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 49015

Part of Battle Creek, MI

Pop. 27,765·Calhoun County·138th most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,214/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.5%

vs US Median

-$718

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 49015 · $1,214

More affordable than 91% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$860

1 BR

$1,000

2 BR

$1,210

3 BR

$1,450

4 BR+

$1,610

Research median

$1,210/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 49015 is 0.5% below its high of $1,220 in August 2026, at $1,214 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Michigan

Rent in ZIP 49015 changed +6.3% 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 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($68,821) is $1,721 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,610).

Rank in Battle Creek

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Battle Creek.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 49014, 7 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,057/mo), about $1,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 49015. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$14,568/yr

At $1,214/mo median

Location

CityBattle Creek

StateMI

CountyCalhoun County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (6.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.3% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 49015 (Battle Creek, MI) is majority owner-occupied, 27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

27,765

Median income

$68,821

Median age

39.2

Renters

28%

Age distribution

24.1%

21.3%

24.8%

18.9%

Under 1824.1%

18–3421.3%

35–5424.8%

55–6411%

65+18.9%

Gender

46.6%

53.4%

Male46.6%

Female53.4%

Race & ethnicity

72.7%

White72.7%

Black5.6%

Hispanic7.3%

Asian7.8%

Other6.6%

Education (25+)

28.8%

34.6%

27.8%

No HS diploma8.8%

HS diploma28.8%

Some college34.6%

Bachelor's+27.8%

Housing tenure

72%

28%

Owner72%

Renter28%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 49015 in Battle Creek, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$991 → $1,214

up 22.5%

Income

$61,321 → $68,821

up 12.2%

Population

28,877 → 27,765

down 3.9%

Renter share

30.8% → 28%

-2.8 pts

Bachelor's+

27.2% → 27.8%

+0.6 pts

Median age

38.2 → 39.2

+1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 49015 in Battle Creek, MI has shifted from $991 to $1,214, up 22.5% since 2022. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 49015 in Battle Creek, MI now reports about $68,821, up from $61,321 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 49015 in Battle Creek, MI losing about 1,112 residents over the five-year window, down 3.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 30.8% to 28%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 49015 in Battle Creek, MI reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 49015

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 49015 covers Battle Creek, MI. The median rent here is $1,214/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,210/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($68,821/yr), ZIP 49015 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 49015?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (about $24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,214/mo in ZIP 49015. The local median household income is $68,821/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 49015?

Rent in ZIP 49015 has risen 6.3% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.5% below its high of $1,220 in August 2026.

How does ZIP 49015 compare to other ZIPs in Michigan?

ZIP 49015 is one of the more affordable among Michigan ZIP codes for rent, ranking #138 of 168 at $1,214/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 49015 changed +6.3%, against a typical +4.4% across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks.