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City · 52,374 residents · Calhoun County, Michigan

Battle Creek , Michigan

In Battle Creek, a typical home is worth $141,900 and typical rent is $957 a month. Compared with all of Calhoun County, the typical home value is 13% lower, typical household income is 12% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $141,900

    13% below the county

    39% below Michigan

    • Battle Creek
    • Calhoun
    • Michigan

  • Typical rent

    $957a month

    About the same as the county

    15% below Michigan

    • Battle Creek
    • Calhoun
    • Michigan

  • Typical household income

    $55,693a year

    12% below the county

    24% below Michigan

    • Battle Creek
    • Calhoun
    • Michigan

  • Households that own their home

    66%

    7 points below the county

    7 points below Michigan

    • Battle Creek
    • Calhoun
    • Michigan

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$183,880
3.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,159 a month
2.8% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Battle Creek is in Calhoun County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Calhoun County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Battle Creek apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Springfield, the typical home value is $110,800: 22% less than in Battle Creek ($141,900).

  2. 66% of households in Battle Creek own their home, against 73% in Calhoun County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Battle Creek

What homes there are in Battle Creek, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses are the majority in Battle Creek (69%), but less so than in Calhoun County (74%).

Year built

The typical home in Battle Creek was built in 1956, 5 years before the typical one in Calhoun County.

There are fewer big homes in Battle Creek than in Calhoun County: 54% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 98% of owner-occupied homes in Battle Creek are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Calhoun County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Battle Creek cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,233): about 73%.

With a mortgage

$1,192 a month

Calhoun County: $1,271 a month

Without a mortgage

$539 a month

Calhoun County: $545 a month

Owners with a mortgage

63%

Calhoun County: 59%

In Battle Creek, 63% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,192 a month, against $1,271 in Calhoun County. Without one it drops to $539.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Battle Creek gained value faster than in Calhoun County: 64% against 48%.

The typical rent in Battle Creek rose 27% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Calhoun County (29%).

The typical household income in Battle Creek rose 32% over that time; home values changed +64% and rent +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureBattle CreekCalhoun CountyMichiganUnited States
Rental vacancy 11.9%9.7%5.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.8%1.4%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.432.442.422.53
Drive alone 77%80%74%69%
Carpool 10%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike 3%3%2%3%
Work from home 9%8%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Battle Creek, the rental vacancy rate is 11.9%; in Calhoun County, 9.7%.

More than one person per room: that is how 1.8% of households in Battle Creek live, near the figure in Calhoun County (1.4%).

Much as in Calhoun County, a household in Battle Creek has 2.43 people on average.

In Battle Creek, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in Calhoun County, 80%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Battle Creek?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Battle Creek, worth $141,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 27% of the typical household income in Battle Creek, which is $55,693 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Calhoun County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Battle Creek. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $4,967 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,246

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$139,329
Total interest
$200,462
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,396 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,300 a month

    Your payment · 27%

  • Tight

    $1,300 to $1,671 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,671 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Battle Creek ($55,693 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,246
Principal & interest$944
Property tax$180
Home insurance$59
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$63

You need at least $4,967 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Battle Creek and Calhoun County

Battle Creek is in Calhoun County, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Battle Creek's own numbers

Typical home value
$141,900
Typical monthly rent
$957
Typical yearly household income
$55,693
Households that own their home
66%
Effective property tax rate
1.52%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Calhoun County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,233
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.5%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Calhoun County.

Everything about Calhoun County

Buying

Buying a home in Battle Creek

A typical home in Battle Creek is worth $141,900: 13% below the county and 39% below Michigan. With the typical household income in Battle Creek ($55,693 a year), a typical home costs 2.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Battle Creek 2.5 years
  • Calhoun 2.6 years
  • Michigan 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Calhoun County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Calhoun County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Calhoun County.

Period County Michigan U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.5% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +95% +97% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Battle Creek next to Calhoun County, Michigan and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Battle Creek $141,900
  • Calhoun $162,800
  • Michigan $231,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Battle Creek $957
  • Calhoun $968
  • Michigan $1,129
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Battle Creek $55,693
  • Calhoun $63,177
  • Michigan $72,875
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Battle Creek next to Calhoun County and Michigan
Measure Battle Creek Calhoun County Michigan U.S.
Typical home value $141,900 $162,800 $231,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $957 $968 $1,129 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $55,693 $63,177 $72,875 $80,734
Households that own their home 66% 73% 73% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,156 $2,368 $2,904 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.52% 1.45% 1.25% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 53% 49% 50% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Calhoun County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Battle Creek

For a typical $141,900 home in Battle Creek, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Battle Creek's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,245a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $4,967
    Cash to close
    $9,224
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $63

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,219a month

    Down payment
    $7,095
    Cash to close
    $11,352
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $67

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,008a month

    Down payment
    $28,380
    Cash to close
    $32,637
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,139a month

    Down payment
    $21,285
    Cash to close
    $25,542
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Battle Creek and for Calhoun County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Battle Creek

1.52%of the home’s value each year

$2,156 a year for the typical owner in Battle Creek.

  • Battle Creek 1.52%
  • Calhoun 1.45%
  • Michigan 1.25%

What Michigan publishes Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) from school operating tax (Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in Michigan

Flood risk in Calhoun County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Calhoun County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.5%
779
Of those, with NFIP insurance
13%
County Michigan U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.5% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 13% 18% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Battle Creek

Typical rent in Battle Creek is $957 a month: about the same as the county. In Battle Creek, 53% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Calhoun County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,233 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $23.71 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Calhoun County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $863 $16.60 $34,520
1 bedroom $1,032 $19.85 $41,280
2 bedrooms $1,233 $23.71 $49,320
3 bedrooms $1,469 $28.25 $58,760
4 bedrooms $1,653 $31.79 $66,120

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Battle Creek

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Battle Creek has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,160 in 49037 to $1,260 in 49015.

1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Calhoun County ($1,233).

  • 49015 $1,260$1,500
  • 49037 $1,160$1,380

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Battle Creek when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Battle Creek

HUD lists 16 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Battle Creek. These are the largest.

  • Springview Tower 231 Springview Dr, Battle Creek 49037 175 low-income homes · 1 bd: 174 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For older adults
  • Bent Tree 62 Laura Ln, Battle Creek 49037 164 low-income homes · For families (269) 962-4803
  • Liberty Commons 180 Carl Ave, Battle Creek 49037 158 low-income homes · 1 bd: 55 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 53 · 4 bd: 18 · In service since 2005 · For families
  • Bedford Manor 100 Bedford Rd S, Battle Creek 49037 125 low-income homes · For older adults (269) 962-3561
  • Teal Run Apts 5220 Horizon Dr, Battle Creek 49015 150 homes, 100 low-income · 1 bd: 50 · 2 bd: 70 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 2002 · For families

See all 23 buildings in Calhoun County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Battle Creek

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Calhoun County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Battle Creek

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Battle Creek or Calhoun County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Battle Creek the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Michigan

  • MI 10K DPA Loan

    Statewide in Michigan

    Michigan state agency loan of up to $10,000, with no interest and no monthly payments, for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses; it goes with MSHDA's MI Home Loan mortgage and is repaid in certain cases, such as when you pay off the first mortgage, sell or refinance the home, or no longer live in it. Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

    Statewide in Michigan

    Michigan state authority certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, for the life of the loan; you apply with an approved lender before you buy. Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

    Tax credit

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Battle Creek

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Battle Creek, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek

    47 North Washington Ave, Battle Creek · 3 miles away

    • Budget and credit workshops
    • Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
    • and 5 more
    (269) 224-6606

  • Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc

    1219 S Park St, Kalamazoo · 18 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (269) 385-2916

  • Housing Services Mid Michigan

    319 S Cochran Ave, Charlotte · 27 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (517) 541-1180

Every agency in Calhoun County All counseling agencies in Michigan

Help in Spanish near Battle Creek

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Battle Creek

HUD’s record names them for Battle Creek or Calhoun County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Battle Creek Housing Commission Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (269) 965-0591

One other authority has an office in Calhoun County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Calhoun County

These cities are also in Calhoun County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Calhoun County Housing in Michigan

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Battle Creek, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Calhoun County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Battle Creek.

All guides
Two girls write and draw together at the living-room table.

Questions

Housing questions about Battle Creek

Short answers with the numbers for Battle Creek and all of Calhoun County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Battle Creek?

The typical home value in Battle Creek is $141,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Calhoun County it is $162,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Battle Creek?

Typical rent in Battle Creek is $957 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Calhoun County is $1,233.

What is the FHA loan limit in Battle Creek?

Battle Creek uses the FHA limit for all of Calhoun County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Battle Creek?

The typical homeowner in Battle Creek pays $2,156 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.52% of the home’s value; in Calhoun County, the rate is 1.45%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Battle Creek?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Calhoun County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).