ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 49017

Part of Battle Creek, MI

Pop. 21,295·Calhoun County·155th most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,124/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-1.8%

vs US Median

-$808

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 49017 · $1,124

More affordable than 94% 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

$820

1 BR

$950

2 BR

$1,150

3 BR

$1,390

4 BR+

$1,550

Research median

$1,150/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

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($60,885) is $1,522 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,390); a 4-bedroom is $1,550.

Rank in Battle Creek

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Battle Creek.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 49017. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$13,488/yr

At $1,124/mo median

Location

CityBattle Creek

StateMI

CountyCalhoun County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 49017 (Battle Creek, MI) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,295

Median income

$60,885

Median age

Renters

25.3%

Age distribution

20.7%

20.5%

25%

14.3%

19.5%

Under 1820.7%

18–3420.5%

35–5425%

55–6414.3%

65+19.5%

Gender

49.7%

50.3%

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

Race & ethnicity

77.5%

White77.5%

Black10.3%

Hispanic6.2%

Asian1.2%

Other4.8%

Education (25+)

38.6%

32.8%

20.8%

No HS diploma7.7%

HS diploma38.6%

Some college32.8%

Bachelor's+20.8%

Housing tenure

74.7%

25.3%

Owner74.7%

Renter25.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 49017 in Battle Creek, MI has changed in 5 years

Income

$50,215 → $60,885

up 21.2%

Population

20,316 → 21,295

up 4.8%

Renter share

27.3% → 25.3%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

20.3% → 20.8%

+0.5 pts

Median age

44.8 → 43

-1.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $50,215 to $60,885 across the same window, up 21.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 20,316 to 21,295 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.8% change. About 25.3% of households rent today, against 27.3% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 49017

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 49017 covers Battle Creek, MI. The median rent here is $1,124/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $950/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,150/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($60,885/yr), ZIP 49017 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 49017?

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 $1,124/mo in ZIP 49017. The local median household income is $60,885/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.