Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Calhoun County, Michigan
Calhoun County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,233 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $968 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $23.71 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,233
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 9% less than in Michigan
- Typical rent
- $968
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 14% less than in Michigan
- Wage needed
- $23.71
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $49,320 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 49%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% less than in Michigan
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Calhoun County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Calhoun County was $1,146 a month in September 2026: 3.7% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
HUD area: Battle Creek, MI MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 23 ZIP codes in Calhoun County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 49029 to $1,480 in 49092. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,233).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 49011 | Battle Creek, MI | $860 | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49011 | Branch County, MI | $860 | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 49011 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $860 | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 49011 | St. Joseph County, MI | $860 | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 49014 | Battle Creek, MI | $910 | $1,090 | $1,300 | $1,550 | $1,740 |
| 49014 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $910 | $1,090 | $1,300 | $1,550 | $1,740 |
| 49015 | Battle Creek, MI | $880 | $1,050 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $1,690 |
| 49015 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $880 | $1,050 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $1,690 |
| 49017 | Barry County, MI | $910 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,570 | $1,820 |
| 49017 | Battle Creek, MI | $910 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,570 | $1,820 |
| 49029 | Battle Creek, MI | $760 | $910 | $1,090 | $1,300 | $1,460 |
| 49033 | Battle Creek, MI | $840 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,430 | $1,610 |
| 49037 | Battle Creek, MI | $810 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,560 |
| 49051 | Battle Creek, MI | $810 | $960 | $1,150 | $1,370 | $1,540 |
| 49068 | Battle Creek, MI | $860 | $1,030 | $1,230 | $1,470 | $1,650 |
| 49092 | Battle Creek, MI | $1,110 | $1,260 | $1,480 | $1,830 | $2,000 |
| 49092 | Branch County, MI | $1,110 | $1,260 | $1,480 | $1,830 | $2,000 |
| 49224 | Battle Creek, MI | $790 | $930 | $1,110 | $1,390 | $1,490 |
| 49224 | Jackson, MI | $790 | $930 | $1,110 | $1,390 | $1,490 |
| 49245 | Battle Creek, MI | $810 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,390 | $1,550 |
| 49245 | Branch County, MI | $810 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,390 | $1,550 |
| 49245 | Hillsdale County, MI | $810 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,390 | $1,550 |
| 49245 | Jackson, MI | $810 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,390 | $1,550 |
- 49011 · Battle Creek, MI $1,210$1,460
- 49011 · Branch County, MI $1,210$1,460
- 49011 · Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $1,210$1,460
- 49011 · St. Joseph County, MI $1,210$1,460
- 49014 · Battle Creek, MI $1,300$1,550
- 49014 · Lansing-East Lansing, MI $1,300$1,550
- 49015 · Battle Creek, MI $1,260$1,500
- 49015 · Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $1,260$1,500
- 49017 · Barry County, MI $1,210$1,570
- 49017 · Battle Creek, MI $1,210$1,570
- 49029 · Battle Creek, MI $1,090$1,300
- 49033 · Battle Creek, MI $1,200$1,430
- 49037 · Battle Creek, MI $1,160$1,380
- 49051 · Battle Creek, MI $1,150$1,370
- 49068 · Battle Creek, MI $1,230$1,470
- 49092 · Battle Creek, MI $1,480$1,830
- 49092 · Branch County, MI $1,480$1,830
- 49224 · Battle Creek, MI $1,110$1,390
- 49224 · Jackson, MI $1,110$1,390
- 49245 · Battle Creek, MI $1,160$1,390
- 49245 · Branch County, MI $1,160$1,390
- 49245 · Hillsdale County, MI $1,160$1,390
- 49245 · Jackson, MI $1,160$1,390
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Calhoun County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Michigan, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
49%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
14,586 households rent in Calhoun County
- Spend half or more of their income 23%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Calhoun 49%
- Michigan 50%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Calhoun County
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Calhoun County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 13
- HUD-assisted
- 9
- public housing
- 2
1,851 homes in all; 1,794 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Northview Homes Public housing 301 W Erie St, Albion 49224 220 homes, 218 low-income · Run by Albion Housing Commission · Average payment: $399 a month · Average wait: 32 months · (517) 629-2511
- Springview Tower Tax credit (LIHTC) 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 HUD-assisted 62 Laura Ln, Battle Creek 49037 164 low-income homes · For families · (269) 962-4803
- Liberty Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 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 HUD-assisted 100 Bedford Rd S, Battle Creek 49037 125 low-income homes · For older adults · (269) 962-3561
- Teal Run Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 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
- Silver Star II Tax credit (LIHTC) 44 Clark Rd, Battle Creek 49037 101 homes, 100 low-income · 1 bd: 100 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2013
- Brookstone Apts (battle Creek) Tax credit (LIHTC) 5730 Dahlia Dr, Battle Creek 49015 100 low-income homes · 2 bd: 50 · 3 bd: 50 · In service since 2003 · For people with disabilities, families
- Marshall House HUD-assisted 200 E Spruce St, Marshall 49068 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (269) 781-2391
- Lincolnshire Townhomes (ALBION) Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 900 Boyd Dr, Albion 49224 81 homes, 80 low-income · 1 bd: 13 · 2 bd: 42 · 3 bd: 26 · In service since 2015 · For families · (517) 629-4270
- Silver Star Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5500 Armstrong Rd, Battle Creek 49037 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 76 · In service since 2009
- Maple Grove Apartments HUD-assisted 1041 Maple St, Albion 49224 73 homes, 72 low-income · For older adults · (517) 629-2026
- Residences at Westbrook Place I Tax credit (LIHTC) 183 West St, Battle Creek 49037 69 homes, 68 low-income · 1 bd: 34 · 2 bd: 35 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Residences at Westbrook Place II Tax credit (LIHTC) 183 West St, Battle Creek 49037 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2008 · For families
- Shelborne Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 109 Springview Dr, Battle Creek 49037 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 7 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Village of Mill Creek HUD-assisted 300 Carl St, Battle Creek 49037 45 homes, 44 low-income · For older adults · (269) 962-0605
- The Village at Irving Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 115 West St, Battle Creek 49037 39 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Barneyville Senior Housing HUD-assisted 420 S Webster St, Homer 49245 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (517) 568-4393
- Battle Creek Turnkey III Public housing 11 High St, Battle Creek 49014 15 low-income homes · Run by Battle Creek Housing Commission · Average payment: $682 a month · Homes at several sites · (269) 965-0591
- Fairway Meadows II Tax credit (LIHTC) 408 Fairway Mdws, Marshall 49068 12 low-income homes · 2 bd: 6 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2005 · For families
- Fairway Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 406 Fairway Mdws, Marshall 49068 10 low-income homes · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2002
- Meadows(the) HUD-assisted 85 Lenon St, Battle Creek 49037 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (269) 963-8655
- Hill House Apartments HUD-assisted 337 Champion St, Battle Creek 49037 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (269) 965-9040
One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Calhoun County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Calhoun County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $17,600 | $29,300 | $46,850 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $33,450 | $53,550 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $37,650 | $60,250 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $41,800 | $66,900 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $45,150 | $72,300 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $48,500 | $77,650 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $51,850 | $83,000 |
| 8 people | $55,200 | $55,200 | $88,350 |
Area median income: $80,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Battle Creek, MI MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $777 – $949
- 1 bedroom $929 – $1,135
- 2 bedrooms $1,110 – $1,356
- 3 bedrooms $1,322 – $1,616
- 4 bedrooms $1,488 – $1,818
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Battle Creek Housing Commission Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,101 vouchers · 15 public housing units (269) 965-0591 Battle Creek Housing Commission: chris@battlecreekhousing.org
- Albion Housing Commission Public housing · 218 public housing units (517) 629-2511 Albion Housing Commission: ann@albionhousingcomm.com
Housing agencies in Michigan Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Michigan
What Michigan law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 1.5 months of rent
- MCL 554.602
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- MCL 554.609(1)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 7 days
- MCL 554.134(2)
- Only a court order can remove youMCL 600.2918(2)
- Protection from retaliationMCL 600.5720(1)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Calhoun County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Calhoun County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek
47 North Washington Ave, Battle Creek
- Budget and credit workshops
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- and 5 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Calhoun County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Michigan, the average home bill was $119 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,466
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,233
- Security deposit
- $1,233
- Total
- $2,466
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Calhoun County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $863; 1 bedroom: $1,032; 2 bedrooms: $1,233; 3 bedrooms: $1,469; 4 bedrooms: $1,653. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Calhoun County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,233) without spending more than 30% of income takes $23.71 an hour full time, or $49,320 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Calhoun County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $41,800 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Calhoun County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,110 and $1,356 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Calhoun County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 49029 to $1,480 in 49092. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Calhoun County?
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Calhoun County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Calhoun County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Calhoun County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Michigan, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).