States › Michigan › Midland

Is Midland, MI expensive to live in?

OKRent takes 20 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,34923% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$79,081about $6,590/month · 9% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$203,90039% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,960 a year. That is $26 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 95 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Midland
$1,349
$1,865
$1,452
$1,238

How much do households earn in Midland?

Under $25k
15.9%
$25k–50k
19.8%
$50k–100k
32.3%
$100k–150k
14.9%
$150k+
11.8%

Share of households by yearly income. 26.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Midland

SizeMidlandU.S. average
Studio$868$1,338
1 bedroom$916$1,324
2 bedrooms$1,191$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,320$1,698
4 bedrooms$1,881$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Midland overall?

Everyday prices in the Midland metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.9, U.S. = 100).

Housing
67
Goods (food, clothes…)
94
Utilities
95
Other services
100
U.S. average
100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.

Taxes and bills in Midland

🏛️ Property tax$3,257a year · 1.60% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$173a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Midland

Commute to work20 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree44.6%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home67.1%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line10.3%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment4.1%U.S.: 5.2%

What jobs pay in Midland

JobMedian payRent / pay
Pharmacist$147,83011.0%
Physician Assistant$129,86012.5%
Computer Systems Analyst$102,84015.7%
Operations Manager$98,27016.5%
Civil Engineer$96,73016.7%
Accountant$91,79017.6%
Registered Nurse$86,36018.7%
Software Developer$83,73019.3%
Dental Hygienist$82,16019.7%
Police Officer$75,37021.5%
Market Research Analyst$71,49022.6%
Licensed Practical Nurse$64,10025.3%
Plumber$63,93025.3%
Carpenter$63,38025.5%
Elementary School Teacher$61,54026.3%
HVAC Technician$56,49028.7%
Firefighter$52,80030.7%
Electrician$51,31031.5%
Truck Driver$49,38032.8%
Customer Service Representative$48,25033.6%
Medical Assistant$39,36041.1%
Nursing Assistant$39,34041.1%
Server (Waiter/Waitress)$37,75042.9%
Warehouse Worker$37,60043.1%
Restaurant Cook$36,54044.3%
Retail Salesperson$33,26048.7%
Cashier$30,28053.5%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Midland?

Renting is cheaper right now: about $66 a month less.

Renting
$1,349
Owning
$1,415

Owning assumes a typical $203,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,390 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Midland, MI?

Renting in Midland costs a median of about $1,349 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.

How much do I need to make to live in Midland?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,960 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Midland cheap or expensive?

Midland is rated OK: rent takes 20.5% of the typical household income of $79,081. It ranks 95th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Midland?

The median homeowner in Midland pays $3,257 a year in property taxes, about 1.60% of the median home value.

Is Midland more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Midland?

The median home value in Midland is $203,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.

42,724 people live in Midland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.