Cost of Living in Ingham County, Michigan
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Ingham County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Ingham County ranks #2,484 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 21%)
Sourced county brief
Ingham County Renters Face 31.9 Percent Median Gross Rent Burden
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Ingham County is 31.9%. This figure, reported via ACS table B25071, is 3.0 percentage points higher than the unweighted county mean of 28.9% across Michigan. The median gross rent in the county is $1,084 per month, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $906. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units was estimated at $1,181 per month, exceeding the Michigan unweighted county mean of $918. The median home value in the county is $198,800, compared to the unweighted state county mean of $197,293. Household income for those in renter-occupied units is $38,673. These metrics provide a snapshot of housing costs relative to local income levels based on the most recent five-year estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Ingham County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.9% of renter household income in Ingham County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,084 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,181. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $43,360 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Michigan unweighted mean of county median rents is $906 per month. Ingham County's $1,084 median is 19.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Ingham County
Rent Burden
19.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,529
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.6%
of gross income
The median home in Ingham County may be a stretch
Median home value is $198,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,587 vs. your max of $1,529.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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