Cost of Living in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Van Buren County ranks #1,927 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 39%)
Sourced county brief
Van Buren County Median Monthly Owner Costs Reach $1,040
Median selected monthly owner costs in Van Buren County are $1,040, which is $122 above the Michigan unweighted county mean of $918. The median home value was estimated at $206,500, higher than the state unweighted county mean of $197,293. For renter-occupied units, the median gross rent is $870 per month, which is $36 below the state unweighted county mean of $906. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 29.4%, differing from the Michigan unweighted county mean of 28.9% by 0.5 percentage points. Median renter-household income was recorded at $34,523. These numbers summarize the housing financial landscape for different tenure groups as reported in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. This summary is a static report and does not contain causal analysis or predictions. 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: Van Buren County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.4% of renter household income in Van Buren County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $870 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,040. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $34,800 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. Van Buren County's $870 median is 3.9% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Van Buren County
Rent Burden
15.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,589
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.3%
of gross income
The median home in Van Buren County may be a stretch
Median home value is $206,500. Estimated monthly cost: $1,649 vs. your max of $1,589.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Van Buren County, Michigan?
What is the median rent in Van Buren County?
Is Van Buren County affordable?
How does Van Buren County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Van Buren County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Van Buren County, Michigan? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Van Buren County
Whether you're buying in Van Buren County, Michigan, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.