salaryRent is higher than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (87.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 58.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $76,200 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 164 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Berkley?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Berkley
| Size | Berkley | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,099 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,117 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,851 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,087 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Berkley 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 Berkley, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Berkley
Life in Berkley
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Berkley?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $292 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $316,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $31,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Berkley, MI?
Renting in Berkley costs a median of about $1,905 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Berkley?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $76,200 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Berkley cheap or expensive?
Berkley is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.2% of the typical household income of $125,364. It ranks 164th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Berkley?
The median homeowner in Berkley pays $3,934 a year in property taxes, about 1.24% of the median home value.
Is Berkley 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 Berkley?
The median home value in Berkley is $316,700, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
15,149 people live in Berkley. Numbers are typical (middle) values.