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.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $35,920 a year. That is $17 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 16 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Monroe?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Monroe
| Size | Monroe | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $804 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $837 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,031 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,362 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,335 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Monroe overall?
Everyday prices in the Monroe metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Monroe
Life in Monroe
What jobs pay in Monroe
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $130,360 | 8.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,260 | 9.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,500 | 10.3% |
| Lawyer | $104,020 | 10.4% |
| Software Developer | $98,270 | 11.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,610 | 11.2% |
| Operations Manager | $93,690 | 11.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,170 | 13.1% |
| Plumber | $80,700 | 13.4% |
| Electrician | $80,620 | 13.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,660 | 13.7% |
| Accountant | $76,080 | 14.2% |
| Police Officer | $65,300 | 16.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,500 | 16.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,240 | 17.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,030 | 17.1% |
| Carpenter | $59,750 | 18.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,340 | 18.2% |
| Truck Driver | $54,510 | 19.8% |
| Firefighter | $44,730 | 24.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,650 | 25.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,520 | 27.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,780 | 27.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,420 | 28.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,200 | 29.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,150 | 29.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,620 | 31.1% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 36.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Monroe?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $267 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $167,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,790 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Monroe, MI?
Renting in Monroe costs a median of about $898 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Monroe?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $35,920 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Monroe cheap or expensive?
Monroe is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.7% of the typical household income of $64,508. It ranks 16th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Monroe?
The median homeowner in Monroe pays $2,380 a year in property taxes, about 1.42% of the median home value.
Is Monroe more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Monroe?
The median home value in Monroe is $167,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
20,320 people live in Monroe. Numbers are typical (middle) values.