ZIP Code · MI

ZIP 49534

Part of Walker, MI

Pop. 23,719·Kent County·23rd most expensive ZIP in Michigan

Median rent (all units)

$1,922/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$10

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 49534 · $1,922

More expensive than 57% 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

$1,180

1 BR

$1,300

2 BR

$1,530

3 BR

$1,970

4 BR+

$2,210

Research median

$1,530/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 49534 changed +3.8% 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 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($81,657) is $2,041 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,970); a 4-bedroom is $2,210.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 49504, 4 miles away, rents for 28% less ($1,384/mo), about $6,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 49534. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,064/yr

At $1,922/mo median

Location

CityWalker

StateMI

CountyKent County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.8% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 49534 (Walker, MI) is majority owner-occupied, 35.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

23,719

Median income

$81,657

Median age

37.4

Renters

29.9%

Age distribution

20.2%

26.2%

22.4%

19.2%

Under 1820.2%

18–3426.2%

35–5422.4%

55–6412%

65+19.2%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

85.3%

White85.3%

Black3.4%

Hispanic4.2%

Asian3.2%

Other4%

Education (25+)

26%

33.7%

35.7%

No HS diploma4.6%

HS diploma26%

Some college33.7%

Bachelor's+35.7%

Housing tenure

70.1%

29.9%

Owner70.1%

Renter29.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 49534 in Walker, MI has changed in 5 years

Income

$71,313 → $81,657

up 14.5%

Population

22,764 → 23,719

up 4.2%

Renter share

32.9% → 29.9%

-3.0 pts

Bachelor's+

32.7% → 35.7%

+3.0 pts

Median age

38.6 → 37.4

-1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 49534 in Walker, MI now reports about $81,657, up from $71,313 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 22,764 to 23,719 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.2% change. About 29.9% of households rent today, against 32.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 32.7% to 35.7%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 49534

About renting in ZIP 49534

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 49534 covers Walker, MI. The median rent here is $1,922/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,300/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,530/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($81,657/yr), ZIP 49534 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 49534?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,922/mo in ZIP 49534. The local median household income is $81,657/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 49534?

Rent in ZIP 49534 has risen 3.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 49534 compare to other ZIPs in Michigan?

ZIP 49534 is one of the pricier among Michigan ZIP codes for rent, ranking #23 of 168 at $1,922/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 49534 changed +3.8%, against a typical +4.4% across the 134 Michigan ZIP codes Zillow tracks.