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City · 7,008 residents · Wayne County, Michigan

River Rouge , Michigan

In River Rouge, a typical home is worth $65,100 and typical rent is $839 a month. Compared with all of Wayne County, the typical home value is 64% lower, typical household income is 32% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.

River Rouge in numbers

  • Typical home value

    $65,100

    64% below the county

    72% below Michigan

    • River Rouge
    • Wayne
    • Michigan
  • Typical rent

    $839a month

    26% below the county

    26% below Michigan

    • River Rouge
    • Wayne
    • Michigan
  • Typical household income

    $41,053a year

    32% below the county

    44% below Michigan

    • River Rouge
    • Wayne
    • Michigan
  • Households that own their home

    57%

    7 points below the county

    16 points below Michigan

    • River Rouge
    • Wayne
    • Michigan

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$83,300
2.9% less than 12 months ago
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $62,296 to $83,300.

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

River Rouge is in Wayne 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 Wayne County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets River Rouge apart

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

  1. The typical home in River Rouge is worth $65,100, 64% less than in Wayne County as a whole ($178,500).

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in River Rouge fell 2.9%; in Michigan, it rose 3.8%.

  3. The typical household income in River Rouge is $41,053, 32% less than in Wayne County as a whole ($60,539).

  4. The typical rent in River Rouge is $839 a month, 26% less than in Wayne County as a whole ($1,132).

  5. 57% of households in River Rouge own their home, against 65% in Wayne County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in River Rouge

What homes there are in River Rouge, 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
Kind of home: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver RougeWayne CountyMichiganUnited States
Detached house 66%70%72%61%
Attached house Unreliable estimate6%5%6%
Building of 2 to 4 17%7%5%8%
Apartments (5 or more) Unreliable estimate16%13%19%
Mobile home Unreliable estimate2%5%6%
Boat, RV and other Unreliable estimate0%0%0%

The detached house is still the most common home in River Rouge, but it weighs less than in Wayne County: 66% against 70%.

Year built
Year built: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver RougeWayne CountyMichiganUnited States
Before 1960 73%59%36%26%
1960–1979 18%21%26%24%
1980–1999 5%11%22%25%
2000–2009 Unreliable estimate6%10%14%
2010 or later Unreliable estimate3%6%11%

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
Value of owner-occupied homes: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver Rouge
Under $100K 85%
$100K–$200K 10%
$200K–$300K Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K Unreliable
$500K–$750K Unreliable
$750K–$1M Unreliable
$1M or more Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Monthly rent with utilities: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver Rouge
Under $500 Unreliable estimate
$500–$999 57%
$1,000–$1,499 25%
$1,500–$1,999 Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499 Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999 Unreliable
$3,000 or more Unreliable

With a mortgage

$1,133 a month

Wayne County: $1,556 a month

Without a mortgage

$510 a month

Wayne County: $612 a month

Owners with a mortgage

31%

Wayne County: 52%

In River Rouge, 31% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,133 a month, against $1,556 in Wayne County. Without one it drops to $510.

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
Change since 2015–2019: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver RougeWayne CountyMichiganUnited States
Typical home value +79%+58%+50%+53%
Typical rent +43%+29%+30%+33%
Typical household income +61%+28%+28%+29%

Since 2015–2019, homes in River Rouge gained value faster than in Wayne County: 79% against 58%.

Rents in River Rouge rose faster than in Wayne County: 43% since 2015–2019, against 29%.

To compare: typical income in River Rouge rose 61%; the home, +79%; the rent, +43%.

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

How people live: River Rouge and its comparisons
MeasureRiver RougeWayne CountyMichiganUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.6%5.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.5%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.2%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.552.502.422.53
Drive alone 73%72%74%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate2%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%2%3%
Work from home 8%14%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in River Rouge has 2.55 people on average, about the same as in Wayne County (2.50).

To get to work, 73% of workers in River Rouge drive alone; in Wayne County, 72%.

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 River Rouge?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in River Rouge, worth $65,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 18% of the typical household income in River Rouge, which is $41,053 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in River Rouge. 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 $2,279 (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

$621

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$63,920
Total interest
$91,966
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $1,099 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $958 a month

    Your payment · 18%

  • Tight

    $958 to $1,232 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,232 a month

Compared with the typical household income in River Rouge ($41,053 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$621
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest$433
Property tax$132
Home insurance$27
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$29

You need at least $2,279 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

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.

Total monthly payment $621; principal and interest $433.

The city and its county

River Rouge and Wayne County

River Rouge is in Wayne 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).

Map of Wayne County, Michigan, with River Rouge marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.

River Rouge's own numbers

Typical home value
$65,100
Typical monthly rent
$839
Typical yearly household income
$41,053
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
2.43%

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

Numbers for all of Wayne County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,459
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+49%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2%

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 Wayne County.

Everything about Wayne County

Buying

Buying a home in River Rouge

A typical home in River Rouge is worth $65,100: 64% below the county and 72% below Michigan. With the typical household income in River Rouge ($41,053 a year), a typical home costs 1.6 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.

  • River Rouge 1.6 years
  • Wayne 2.9 years
  • Michigan 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Wayne County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Wayne County rose 97% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Wayne County, 2016 to 2025
  1. 2020: +3.7%
  2. 2021: +11.3%
  3. 2022: +12.0%
  4. 2023: +6.5%
  5. 2024: +7.0%
  6. 2025: +5.3%
Change in FHFA’s price index in Wayne County, Michigan and the United States
Period County Michigan U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.3% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +49% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +97% +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

River Rouge next to Wayne 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
  • River Rouge $65,100
  • Wayne $178,500
  • Michigan $231,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • River Rouge $839
  • Wayne $1,132
  • Michigan $1,129
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • River Rouge $41,053
  • Wayne $60,539
  • Michigan $72,875
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
River Rouge next to Wayne County and Michigan
Measure River Rouge Wayne County Michigan U.S.
Typical home value $65,100 64% below the county $178,500 $231,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $839 26% below the county $1,132 $1,129 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $41,053 32% below the county $60,539 $72,875 $80,734
Households that own their home 57% 7 points below the county 65% 73% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,580 46% below the county $2,904 $2,904 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.43% 0.8 points above the county 1.63% 1.25% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 63% 8 points above the county 54% 50% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Wayne 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 River Rouge

For a typical $65,100 home in River Rouge, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, River Rouge's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $621a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $2,279
    Cash to close
    $4,232
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $29
  • Conventional, 5% down $609a month

    Down payment
    $3,255
    Cash to close
    $5,208
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $31
  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $512a month

    Down payment
    $13,020
    Cash to close
    $14,973
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None
  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $572a month

    Down payment
    $9,765
    Cash to close
    $11,718
    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 River Rouge and for Wayne County.

Property tax

Effective rate in River Rouge

2.43%of the home’s value each year

$1,580 a year for the typical owner in River Rouge.

  • River Rouge 2.43%
  • Wayne 1.63%
  • 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 Wayne County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
2%
12,730
Of those, with NFIP insurance
22%
Homes in the high-risk zone and with NFIP insurance: Wayne County, Michigan and the U.S.
Measure County Michigan U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 22% 18% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in River Rouge

Typical rent in River Rouge is $839 a month: 26% below the county. In River Rouge, 63% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Wayne County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,459 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $28.06 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Wayne County

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

HUD fair market rent in Wayne County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,047 $20.13 $41,880
1 bedroom $1,167 $22.44 $46,680
2 bedrooms $1,459 $28.06 $58,360
3 bedrooms $1,777 $34.17 $71,080
4 bedrooms $1,929 $37.10 $77,160

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 River Rouge

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). River Rouge is in ZIP code 48218.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $449 less than the fair market rent for Wayne County ($1,459).

  • 48218 $1,010$1,230

A ZIP code counts for River Rouge 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) (external site) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in River Rouge

HUD lists 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in River Rouge. These are the largest.

  • Project Unnamed 420 Kleinow Ave, River Rouge 48218 92 low-income homes · Run by River Rouge Housing Commission · Average payment: $306 a month · Homes at several sites (313) 382-1414
  • Sumby Senior Housing 234 Visger Rd, River Rouge 48218 55 homes, 54 low-income · For older adults (313) 357-2891

See all 448 buildings in Wayne County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in River Rouge

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 are 18 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Wayne County; 4 say they serve in Spanish.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in River Rouge

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

  • 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).

  • 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).

Housing counselors near River Rouge

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

  • Foundation for Pops

    17500 Dix Rd, Melvindale · 2 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
  • National Faith Homebuyers

    5460 W Fort St, Detroit · 3 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
  • Southwest Economic Solutions DBA Miwealth

    2835 Bagley St Ste 800, Detroit · 4 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 5 more

Every agency in Wayne County All counseling agencies in Michigan

Help in Spanish near River Rouge

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves 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 River Rouge

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

  • River Rouge Housing Commission Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (313) 382-1414

16 other authorities have an office in Wayne County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Wayne County

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

See 17 more cities in Wayne County, with prices and rents

Questions

Housing questions about River Rouge

Short answers with the numbers for River Rouge and all of Wayne 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 River Rouge?

The typical home value in River Rouge is $65,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Wayne County it is $178,500.

How much does it cost to rent in River Rouge?

Typical rent in River Rouge is $839 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Wayne County is $1,459.

What is the FHA loan limit in River Rouge?

River Rouge uses the FHA limit for all of Wayne 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 River Rouge?

The typical homeowner in River Rouge pays $1,580 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.43% of the home’s value; in Wayne County, the rate is 1.63%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in River Rouge?

There are 18 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Wayne County. 4 say they serve in Spanish. 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).