State FMR profile · HUD FY2026

Fair Market Rents in Michigan

The average 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent across Michigan is $891/mo - 7% below the US average.

$891
Avg 1BR FMR
83
Counties
15
Metro areas

The verdict

Michigan's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent averages $1,113 - 5% below the US average, the 19th lowest of 51 states.

Michigan's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom averages $1,113, 5% below the US average - the 19th lowest of 51 states. A household needs about $44,520 in annual income to afford it under HUD's 30% affordability rule, and rents vary 87% between the state's cheapest and priciest counties.

#19
most affordable of 51 states (2BR)
-5%
vs the US 2-bedroom average
$44,520
income to afford it (30% rule)
87%
gap, cheapest→priciest county

Michigan ranks 33rd priciest but 16th of 51 by rent GROWTH (+6.4% YoY) - a comparatively affordable state getting notably more expensive, worth watching.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for 83 counties and 15 metro areas in MI. Verify with HUD →

What these rents mean for Michigan

Across Michigan's 83 counties and 15 metro areas, HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent averages $891/mo for a 1-bedroom (studio through 4-bedroom averages are broken out below). FMR is set at the county or metro FMR area level, not statewide, so that figure is the arithmetic average of every FMR area inside MI, weighted equally. Local housing authorities use each county's or metro's FMR (not the state average) to calibrate Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards, typically ranging from 90% to 110% of FMR.

Benchmarked against the rest of the country, Michigan's average 1-bedroom FMR of $891 is 7% below the US average of $959. Inside the state, rents are not uniform - the cheapest 1-bedroom FMR is in Arenac County at $742, while the most expensive is in Washtenaw County at $1,387, a spread of roughly 87% between the lowest- and highest-cost counties. That intra-state dispersion is why urban voucher recipients, families relocating for jobs, and landlords setting Section 8 rents all need to check the specific FMR area rather than rely on a statewide figure.

For affordability, the 30% rule implies a household income of $35,640 per year (about $2,970/month) to afford Michigan's average 1-bedroom at $891. With a state population of 10,051,595 and median household income of $71,149, a significant share of Michigan renters fall above the 30% cost-burden threshold in higher-FMR counties. Pair these rent figures with Michigan's rent burden rankings and year-over-year rent growth pages to see which counties are tightening fastest and which remain comparatively affordable.

Where Michigan sits among all 50 states + DC

Average 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. every US state

$1,113 higher than 35% of 51 states

$900–$1,000: 11 states (22%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,100: 7 states (14%). Below this entry. $1,100–$1,200: 8 states (16%). This entry sits in this band. $1,200–$1,300: 2 states (4%). Above this entry. $1,300–$1,400: 3 states (6%). Above this entry. $1,400–$1,500: 8 states (16%). Above this entry. $1,500–$1,600: 3 states (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,700: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,700–$1,800: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,800–$1,900: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,900–$2,000: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,100: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,100–$2,200: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,300: 2 states (4%). Above this entry. $2,300–$2,400: 0 states (0%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,500: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. MI $900 $2,500 every US state, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.1K-wide band; taller bars hold more states. 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

State Average vs National Average

Studio
$807
-10% vs US avg
1 BR
$891
-7% vs US avg
2 BR
$1,113
-5% vs US avg
3 BR
$1,419
-7% vs US avg
4 BR
$1,588
-10% vs US avg

Most expensive counties in Michigan by 1-bedroom FMR

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent, the highest-cost 10 of 83 MI counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Inside MI, 1-bedroom FMR runs from $742 in Arenac County to $1,387 in Washtenaw County.

Source HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data As of FY2026

Cheapest Counties

Lowest FMR rental costs →

Most Expensive Counties

Highest FMR rental costs →

Rent Burden

% of income spent on rent →

Rent Growth

YoY rent trends by county →

Metro areas in Michigan

Each metro FMR area applies one rent schedule across all its counties, ranked here by 1-bedroom FMR.

# Metro area Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Ann Arbor, MI MSA $1,365
$1,387
$1,656$1,986$2,193
2 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
3 Barry County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area $1,010
$1,017
$1,334$1,735$2,013
4 Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA $973
$1,012
$1,268$1,627$1,679
5 Monroe, MI MSA $914
$1,011
$1,326$1,605$2,147
6 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI MSA $838
$998
$1,162$1,531$1,571
7 Battle Creek, MI MSA $833
$976
$1,176$1,410$1,565
8 Jackson, MI MSA $838
$946
$1,165$1,534$1,626
9 Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI MSA $866
$942
$1,236$1,490$1,636
10 Benzie County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area $904
$937
$1,224$1,586$1,720
11 Midland, MI MSA $907
$925
$1,193$1,518$1,682
12 Niles, MI MSA $816
$902
$1,184$1,556$1,568
13 Flint, MI MSA $731
$856
$1,033$1,272$1,497
14 Saginaw, MI MSA $770
$851
$1,117$1,440$1,479
15 Bay City, MI MSA $809
$814
$1,030$1,399$1,518

Counties in Michigan, ranked by rent (83)

All 83 counties with a published FY2026 Fair Market Rent, highest 1-bedroom first.

83 of 83
# County Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Washtenaw County $1,365
$1,387
$1,656$1,986$2,193
2 Leelanau County $1,106
$1,366
$1,497$1,795$1,982
3 Ottawa County $1,047
$1,333
$1,519$1,930$2,256
4 Kent County $1,232
$1,278
$1,531$1,980$2,189
5 Livingston County $1,005
$1,264
$1,457$2,026$2,285
6 Grand Traverse County $1,136
$1,143
$1,357$1,747$1,797
7 Lapeer County $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
8 Macomb County $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
9 Oakland County $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
10 St. Clair County $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
11 Wayne County $1,009
$1,122
$1,411$1,724$1,868
12 Barry County $1,010
$1,017
$1,334$1,735$2,013
13 Montcalm County $829
$1,016
$1,203$1,473$1,593
14 Clinton County $973
$1,012
$1,268$1,627$1,679
15 Eaton County $973
$1,012
$1,268$1,627$1,679
16 Ingham County $973
$1,012
$1,268$1,627$1,679
17 Monroe County $914
$1,011
$1,326$1,605$2,147
18 Kalamazoo County $838
$998
$1,162$1,531$1,571
19 Calhoun County $833
$976
$1,176$1,410$1,565
20 Marquette County $784
$973
$1,137$1,363$1,665
21 Allegan County $959
$966
$1,267$1,583$1,761
22 Jackson County $838
$946
$1,165$1,534$1,626
23 Muskegon County $866
$942
$1,236$1,490$1,636
24 Emmet County $863
$941
$1,235$1,481$1,635
25 Benzie County $904
$937
$1,224$1,586$1,720
26 Midland County $907
$925
$1,193$1,518$1,682
27 Ionia County $834
$921
$1,209$1,481$1,931
28 Cass County $775
$906
$993$1,272$1,666
29 Berrien County $816
$902
$1,184$1,556$1,568
30 Antrim County $801
$897
$1,162$1,393$1,613
31 Lenawee County $804
$889
$1,166$1,491$1,622
32 Montmorency County $689
$888
$973$1,353$1,380
33 Ontonagon County $689
$888
$973$1,242$1,632
34 Isabella County $875
$880
$1,013$1,321$1,341
35 Crawford County $716
$875
$1,038$1,245$1,472
36 Otsego County $852
$858
$1,100$1,445$1,560
37 Schoolcraft County $689
$858
$973$1,338$1,380
38 Genesee County $731
$856
$1,033$1,272$1,497
39 Saginaw County $770
$851
$1,117$1,440$1,479
40 Keweenaw County $689
$849
$973$1,242$1,380
41 Ogemaw County $682
$843
$989$1,186$1,309
42 Dickinson County $689
$841
$973$1,182$1,632
43 Branch County $689
$840
$973$1,324$1,329
44 Wexford County $821
$826
$1,084$1,368$1,585
45 Iosco County $819
$824
$973$1,348$1,632
46 Chippewa County $735
$823
$1,066$1,278$1,411
47 Alger County $759
$817
$1,072$1,285$1,419
48 Mason County $726
$816
$1,026$1,366$1,374
49 Bay County $809
$814
$1,030$1,399$1,518
50 Iron County $756
$814
$1,068$1,281$1,414
51 Shiawassee County $787
$812
$1,066$1,428$1,571
52 Alcona County $689
$807
$973$1,333$1,380
53 Huron County $689
$806
$973$1,197$1,288
54 Cheboygan County $746
$803
$1,054$1,264$1,403
55 Charlevoix County $736
$800
$1,039$1,445$1,622
56 Houghton County $795
$800
$973$1,353$1,632
57 Manistee County $742
$799
$1,048$1,332$1,388
58 Mecosta County $715
$796
$1,010$1,288$1,432
59 Missaukee County $689
$787
$973$1,194$1,288
60 Tuscola County $671
$786
$973$1,288$1,420
61 Mackinac County $775
$780
$1,023$1,227$1,451
62 St. Joseph County $721
$777
$1,019$1,380$1,480
63 Van Buren County $701
$774
$1,016$1,338$1,396
64 Menominee County $697
$771
$973$1,353$1,380
65 Alpena County $689
$767
$973$1,212$1,632
66 Kalkaska County $719
$766
$973$1,286$1,291
67 Hillsdale County $691
$764
$1,002$1,252$1,327
68 Gogebic County $689
$761
$973$1,353$1,411
69 Lake County $704
$758
$994$1,367$1,660
70 Luce County $699
$753
$988$1,185$1,353
71 Clare County $698
$751
$986$1,189$1,611
72 Osceola County $744
$749
$983$1,182$1,394
73 Newaygo County $691
$744
$976$1,294$1,298
74 Arenac County $671
$742
$973$1,353$1,519
75 Baraga County $689
$742
$973$1,167$1,299
76 Delta County $714
$742
$973$1,288$1,632
77 Gladwin County $689
$742
$973$1,353$1,606
78 Gratiot County $689
$742
$973$1,304$1,455
79 Oceana County $689
$742
$973$1,200$1,550
80 Oscoda County $689
$742
$973$1,287$1,380
81 Presque Isle County $671
$742
$973$1,167$1,506
82 Roscommon County $689
$742
$973$1,242$1,632
83 Sanilac County $671
$742
$973$1,253$1,316

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Michigan? ▼
The average FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Michigan is $891 per month. A 2-bedroom averages $1,113.
How does Michigan rent compare to the national average? ▼
Michigan rents are 7% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here averages $891 vs $959 nationally.
Where is the cheapest rent in Michigan? ▼
The most affordable county is Arenac County with a 1-bedroom FMR of $742. The most expensive is Washtenaw County at $1,387.
What income do I need to afford rent in Michigan? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need at least $35,640/year ($2,970/month) to afford the average 1-bedroom FMR in Michigan.

Explore Michigan rent data

Rent burden → Rent growth → Cheapest counties → Most expensive counties → National rent-burden rankings → Affordability calculator →

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What this means for renters

Treat Michigan's FY2026 average Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a single market quote.

  • Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 average 1-bedroom FMR of $891 implies about $35,640/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
  • Michigan's counties vary widely around this average -- compare specific counties before assuming this figure applies to yours. View county rankings
  • See where Michigan ranks nationally on rent. National rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. This is a state-level average across 83 counties; actual asking rents in any specific county can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This site is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

Related

Browse all counties → | Rankings →
Data sourced from HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. See our methodology for details. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rent data (huduser.gov). Median household income and homeownership rate: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (census.gov/programs-surveys/acs).

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.