County FMR · HUD FY2026

Sanilac County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Sanilac County, MI - 23% below the US average.

$742
1-bedroom FMR
$973
2-bedroom FMR
+4.4%
YoY change
-23%
vs US avg

The verdict

Sanilac is the 24th cheapest of 83 counties in Michigan by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #976 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#976
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#24
cheapest of 83 in Michigan (2BR)
-17%
vs the state average
$29,680
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.3%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (30.8%); 14 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold; nearby Michigan counties range as much as 62% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Sanilac County, MI. Verify with HUD →

Sanilac County, Michigan carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $742 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $973/mo and a studio is $671/mo. That's 23% below the national benchmark of $959 and 17% below the Michigan average of $891.

Rent increased4.4% from FY 2025 ($711), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $29,680/year.

Observed renter burden: 35.2% of the 3,202 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Michigan. Population: 40,759. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.9%, Census ACS). That's slower than Michigan's statewide growth of +0.9% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area SANILAC·COUNTY·MI·MI

Sanilac County, MI: $742/mo 1BR · #976 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MI
  • 1BR-FMR $742
  • 2BR-FMR $973
  • RANK-MID #976
  • YOY-UP +4.4%
  • VSUS-BELOW -23%
  • VS-ST-LOW -17% MI
  • INC-ROOM 15%
  • POP-SMALL 41K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Wayne County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $668–$816
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Wayne ($380 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $807 · US avg: $893
$671/mo
↑ 4.8% YoY -17% vs state -25% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $891 · US avg: $959
$742/mo
↑ 4.4% YoY -17% vs state -23% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,113 · US avg: $1,175
$973/mo
↑ 4.3% YoY -13% vs state -17% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,419 · US avg: $1,525
$1,253/mo
↑ 4.0% YoY -12% vs state -18% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,588 · US avg: $1,756
$1,316/mo
↑ 4.1% YoY -17% vs state -25% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $640
$671
+$31 (+4.8%)
1 Bedroom $711
$742
+$31 (+4.4%)
2 Bedroom $933
$973
+$40 (+4.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,205
$1,253
+$48 (+4.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,264
$1,316
+$52 (+4.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Sanilac County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
13.6%
Affordable
Need $26,840/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15.1%
Affordable
Need $29,680/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.8%
Affordable
Need $38,920/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.5%
Affordable
Need $50,120/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
26.7%
Affordable
Need $52,640/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%19.8%
Sanilac County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $59,074 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Michigan rent burden →

Where Sanilac sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$973 higher than 31% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). This entry sits in this band. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Above this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Sanilac compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Michigan counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Sanilac is highlighted. Nearby Michigan counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Washtenaw County ($1,387), Kent County ($1,278), Wayne County ($1,122), Oakland County ($1,122), Macomb County ($1,122), Genesee County ($856), Sanilac County (this county) ($742).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $742/mo, most of these Michigan occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation MI Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $107,820 8.3% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,660 8.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $85,670 10.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $77,720 11.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $74,420 12% Affordable
Electricians $72,680 12.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,350 14.3% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,490 14.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,140 16.1% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $42,560 20.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $40,040 22.2% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $35,000 25.4% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $33,340 26.7% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $30,960 28.8% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,870 30.8% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Michigan) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Sanilac County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Sanilac (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 37.2% overall, from $541 to $742. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 9.7% (FY 2024).

$500$550$600$650$700$750$800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $742
Sanilac County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.4% $671 $742 $973
FY 2025 ↑3.2% $640 $711 $933
FY 2024 ↑9.7% $615 $689 $905
FY 2023 ↑9.2% $582 $628 $826
FY 2022 ↑3.2% $559 $575 $757
FY 2021 ↑3.0% $553 $557 $734
FY 2020 $535 $541 $713
Total change (6yr): +37.2%
Annualized: +5.4%/yr
1 BR: $541 → $742

Where Sanilac County Ranks in Michigan

Sanilac County is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #24 of 83 counties in Michigan. Nearest by rank: Menominee County ($973), Missaukee County ($973), Montmorency County ($973), Oceana County ($973), Ontonagon County ($973), Oscoda County ($973), Presque Isle County ($973), Roscommon County ($973), Sanilac County (this county) ($973), Schoolcraft County ($973), Tuscola County ($973), Newaygo County ($976), Osceola County ($983), Clare County ($986), Luce County ($988), Ogemaw County ($989), Cass County ($993).

Menominee County
2 BR: $973/mo
Missaukee County
2 BR: $973/mo
Montmorency County
2 BR: $973/mo
Oceana County
2 BR: $973/mo
Ontonagon County
2 BR: $973/mo
Oscoda County
2 BR: $973/mo
Presque Isle County
2 BR: $973/mo
Roscommon County
2 BR: $973/mo
Sanilac County (this county)
2 BR: $973/mo
Schoolcraft County
2 BR: $973/mo
Tuscola County
2 BR: $973/mo
Newaygo County
2 BR: $976/mo
Osceola County
2 BR: $983/mo
Clare County
2 BR: $986/mo
Luce County
2 BR: $988/mo
Ogemaw County
2 BR: $989/mo
Cass County
2 BR: $993/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Sanilac County, both outside Michigan so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside MI (FY2026).

Mahoning County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Trumbull County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Richland County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Columbiana County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside MI).

Mississippi County
AR · 19.8% of income · 2 BR $880/mo
Montgomery County
KS · 19.8% of income · 2 BR $877/mo
White County
AR · 19.8% of income · 2 BR $880/mo
Iron County
WI · 19.8% of income · 2 BR $973/mo

Nearby Counties in Michigan

Largest counties by population in Michigan

Showing the 8 largest of 82 other counties in Michigan.

Wayne County
1 BR: $1,122/mo Pop: 1,781,641
Oakland County
1 BR: $1,122/mo Pop: 1,272,264
Macomb County
1 BR: $1,122/mo Pop: 878,453
Kent County
1 BR: $1,278/mo Pop: 657,321
Genesee County
1 BR: $856/mo Pop: 405,280
Washtenaw County
1 BR: $1,387/mo Pop: 370,231
Ottawa County
1 BR: $1,333/mo Pop: 296,183
Ingham County
1 BR: $1,012/mo Pop: 282,540
View all counties in Michigan →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Sanilac County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Sanilac County is $742 per month. A 2-bedroom is $973 and a studio is $671.
How does Sanilac County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Sanilac County is 23% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $742 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Sanilac County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Sanilac County's 2-bedroom FMR of $973 ranks #976 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Sanilac County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $29,680 ($2,473/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Sanilac County.
Is rent going up or down in Sanilac County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Sanilac County increased by 4.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $711 to $742.
Which jobs can afford rent in Sanilac County? ▼
Based on Michigan BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $742/mo. 14 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Sanilac County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Sanilac County went from $541 in FY 2020 to $742 in FY 2026, a total change of +37.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Sanilac County? ▼
In Sanilac County, the FY 2026 FMR of $742/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Sanilac County? ▼
For Sanilac County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($742/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.