salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.1 minutes. Most households rent (63%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,640 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 24 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Benton Harbor?
Share of households by yearly income. 5.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Benton Harbor
| Size | Benton Harbor | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $491 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $916 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,403 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,044 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Benton Harbor overall?
Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Benton Harbor, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Benton Harbor
Life in Benton Harbor
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Benton Harbor?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $410 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $76,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $7,650 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Benton Harbor, MI?
Renting in Benton Harbor costs a median of about $941 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Benton Harbor?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,640 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Benton Harbor cheap or expensive?
Benton Harbor is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.6% of the typical household income of $33,560. It ranks 24th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Benton Harbor?
The median homeowner in Benton Harbor pays $911 a year in property taxes, about 1.19% of the median home value.
Is Benton Harbor more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Michigan are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Benton Harbor?
The median home value in Benton Harbor is $76,500, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
8,953 people live in Benton Harbor. Numbers are typical (middle) values.