Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Ionia County, Michigan
Ionia County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,238 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $884 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $23.81 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,238
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 9% less than in Michigan
- Typical rent
- $884
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 22% less than in Michigan
- Wage needed
- $23.81
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $49,520 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 49%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 3% 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 Ionia 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 Ionia County was $1,198 a month in September 2026. 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 | $862 | $16.58 | $34,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $946 | $18.19 | $37,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,238 | $23.81 | $49,520 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,579 | $30.37 | $63,160 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,930 | $37.12 | $77,200 |
HUD area: Ionia County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 22 ZIP codes in Ionia County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 48865 to $1,430 in 48875. 9 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,238).
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)
| 48809 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $1,110 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,790 | $1,980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48809 | Ionia County, MI | $1,110 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,790 | $1,980 |
| 48809 | Montcalm County, MI | $1,110 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,790 | $1,980 |
| 48815 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $1,110 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,790 | $1,980 |
| 48815 | Ionia County, MI | $1,110 | $1,160 | $1,380 | $1,790 | $1,980 |
| 48845 | Gratiot County, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48845 | Ionia County, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48845 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48845 | Montcalm County, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48846 | Ionia County, MI | $830 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,520 | $1,850 |
| 48849 | Barry County, MI | $910 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,570 | $1,820 |
| 48849 | Ionia County, MI | $910 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,570 | $1,820 |
| 48849 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $910 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,570 | $1,820 |
| 48851 | Ionia County, MI | $970 | $1,070 | $1,400 | $1,790 | $2,180 |
| 48860 | Ionia County, MI | $800 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,790 |
| 48865 | Ionia County, MI | $760 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,370 | $1,740 |
| 48870 | Ionia County, MI | $880 | $1,030 | $1,260 | $1,570 | $1,780 |
| 48873 | Ionia County, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48873 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $880 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,740 |
| 48875 | Ionia County, MI | $1,000 | $1,090 | $1,430 | $1,820 | $2,210 |
| 48875 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $1,000 | $1,090 | $1,430 | $1,820 | $2,210 |
| 48881 | Ionia County, MI | $760 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,350 | $1,740 |
- 48809 · Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI $1,380$1,790
- 48809 · Ionia County, MI $1,380$1,790
- 48809 · Montcalm County, MI $1,380$1,790
- 48815 · Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI $1,380$1,790
- 48815 · Ionia County, MI $1,380$1,790
- 48845 · Gratiot County, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48845 · Ionia County, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48845 · Lansing-East Lansing, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48845 · Montcalm County, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48846 · Ionia County, MI $1,190$1,520
- 48849 · Barry County, MI $1,210$1,570
- 48849 · Ionia County, MI $1,210$1,570
- 48849 · Lansing-East Lansing, MI $1,210$1,570
- 48851 · Ionia County, MI $1,400$1,790
- 48860 · Ionia County, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48865 · Ionia County, MI $1,090$1,370
- 48870 · Ionia County, MI $1,260$1,570
- 48873 · Ionia County, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48873 · Lansing-East Lansing, MI $1,150$1,470
- 48875 · Ionia County, MI $1,430$1,820
- 48875 · Lansing-East Lansing, MI $1,430$1,820
- 48881 · Ionia County, MI $1,090$1,350
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 Ionia 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.
5,303 households rent in Ionia County
- Spend half or more of their income 24%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Ionia 49%
- Michigan 50%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Ionia County
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Ionia 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)
- 15
- HUD-assisted
- 8
- public housing
- 2
1,160 homes in all; 1,050 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Pine Vista/Robertston CT/Scattered-Site Public housing 667 Union St, Ionia 48846 111 homes, 110 low-income · Run by Ionia Housing Commission · Average payment: $442 a month · Average wait: 23 months · Homes at several sites · (616) 527-9060
- The Havens HUD-assisted 41 Belhaven St, Belding 48809 110 low-income homes · For families · (616) 794-1740
- Mill Creek Meadows S Public housing 203 Parsonage St, Saranac 48881 89 low-income homes · Run by Saranac Housing Commission · Average payment: $411 a month · (616) 642-9832
- Millcreek Meadows HUD-assisted 320 Summit St, Saranac 48881 61 low-income homes · For older adults · (616) 642-9832
- Lake Manor Apartments HUD-assisted 1059 Emerson St, Lake Odessa 48849 56 low-income homes · For families · (616) 374-7380
- Belleview Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 121 Belleview Dr, Ionia 48846 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2004 · For families
- Brentwood II HUD-assisted 1200 Brentwood St, Belding 48809 48 low-income homes · For families · (616) 794-1050
- Brentwood II Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1207 Brentwood St, Belding 48809 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Brentwood Apts HUD-assisted 1129 Brentwood St, Belding 48809 50 homes, 45 low-income · For families · (616) 794-0470
- Belleview Place II Tax credit (LIHTC) 127 Belleview Dr, Ionia 48846 49 homes, 44 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 21 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Jacklyn Apts III Tax credit (LIHTC) 1250 Kenwood Ave, Belding 48809 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 28 · In service since 1998
- Wooded View Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 630 Johnson Rd, Ionia 48846 40 homes, 39 low-income · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 23 · In service since 1998
- Valley View III Tax credit (LIHTC) 718 N State St, Ionia 48846 39 low-income homes · 1 bd: 34 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
- Portland Apartments HUD-assisted 1800A Lillian Blvd, Portland 48875 38 low-income homes · For families · (517) 647-4910
- The Courts HUD-assisted 41 Belhaven St, Belding 48809 30 low-income homes · For families · (616) 794-1740
- Portland School Tax credit (LIHTC) 306 Brush St, Portland 48875 29 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 5 · In service since 2017
- Jacklyn Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1250 Kenwood Ave, Belding 48809 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 1996
- Bear Creek Villa HUD-assisted 179 E Ferney St, Clarksville 48815 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (616) 693-2271
- Lakewood Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 220 Parsonage St, Saranac 48881 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2002
- Oak Hill Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 647 Crawford St, Ionia 48846 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
- Crosswinds Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 901 N Bridge St, Belding 48809 24 homes, 23 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1991
- Valley View Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 741 Valley View Dr, Ionia 48846 72 homes, 22 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 66 · In service since 1991
- Blanchard Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 446 Blanchard St, Muir 48860 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2000
- Valley View II Tax credit (LIHTC) 712 Valley View Dr, Ionia 48846 36 homes, 11 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1993
- Golden Bridge Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 248 Divine Hwy, Portland 48875 22 homes
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 Ionia County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Ionia 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 | $19,250 | $32,100 | $51,350 |
| 2 people | $22,000 | $36,650 | $58,650 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $41,250 | $66,000 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $45,800 | $73,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $49,500 | $79,200 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $53,150 | $85,050 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $56,800 | $90,900 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $60,500 | $96,800 |
Area median income: $98,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Ionia County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $776 – $948
- 1 bedroom $851 – $1,041
- 2 bedrooms $1,114 – $1,362
- 3 bedrooms $1,421 – $1,737
- 4 bedrooms $1,737 – $2,123
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
- Ionia Housing Commission Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 23 vouchers · 110 public housing units (616) 527-9060 Ionia Housing Commission: kbennett@ioniahousingcommission.org
- Saranac Housing Commission Public housing · 89 public housing units (616) 642-9832 Saranac Housing Commission: astephens@saranachc.org
- Belding Housing Commission Public housing (616) 794-1740 Belding Housing Commission: scarlson@beldinghousing.org
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 Ionia County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Ionia County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Michigan State University Extension - Ionia
50 E Sprague Rd, Ionia
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 3 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Ionia 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
$2,476
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,238
- Security deposit
- $1,238
- Total
- $2,476
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 Ionia County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $862; 1 bedroom: $946; 2 bedrooms: $1,238; 3 bedrooms: $1,579; 4 bedrooms: $1,930. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Ionia County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,238) without spending more than 30% of income takes $23.81 an hour full time, or $49,520 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Ionia County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $45,800 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 Ionia 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 $1,114 and $1,362 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Ionia County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 48865 to $1,430 in 48875. 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 Ionia County?
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Ionia 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 Ionia County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Ionia County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Michigan, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).