In Romulus, a typical home is worth $159,500 and typical rent is $1,049 a month. Compared with all of Wayne County, typical household income is 14% higher, the typical home value is 11% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $164,561 to $203,563.
Typical rent
$1,325a month
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2025 to September 2026: from $966 to $1,325.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Romulus 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
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Inkster, the typical home value is $80,400: 50% less than in Romulus ($159,500).
2
70% of households in Romulus own their home, against 65% in Wayne County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Romulus
What homes there are in Romulus, 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 houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Kind of home: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Detached house
67%
70%
72%
61%
Attached house
7%
6%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
7%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
14%
16%
13%
19%
Mobile home
10%
2%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
As in Wayne County, most homes in Romulus are detached houses (67%).
There are more mobile homes here than in Wayne County: 10% of homes, against 2%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Year built: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Before 1960
26%
59%
36%
26%
1960–1979
37%
21%
26%
24%
1980–1999
17%
11%
22%
25%
2000–2009
12%
6%
10%
14%
2010 or later
8%
3%
6%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 1972 or later; in Wayne County, from 1956 or later.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K24%
$100K–$200K44%
$200K–$300K21%
$300K–$500K10%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Under $100K
24%
$100K–$200K
44%
$200K–$300K
21%
$300K–$500K
10%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
The FHA limit for Wayne County is high ($541,287): at least 99% of owner-occupied homes in Romulus are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50014%
$500–$99932%
$1,000–$1,49929%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,459
$1,500–$1,99919%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Under $500
14%
$500–$999
32%
$1,000–$1,499
29%
$1,500–$1,999
19%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Wayne County is $1,459; about 73% of rents in Romulus are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,390 a month
Wayne County: $1,556 a month
Without a mortgage
$558 a month
Wayne County: $612 a month
Owners with a mortgage
63%
Wayne County: 52%
In Romulus, 63% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,390 a month, against $1,556 in Wayne County. Without one it drops to $558.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Romulus+64%
Wayne County+58%
Michigan+50%
United States+53%
Typical rent
RomulusNo clear change
Wayne County+29%
Michigan+30%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Romulus+34%
Wayne County+28%
Michigan+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Typical home value
+64%
+58%
+50%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+29%
+30%
+33%
Typical household income
+34%
+28%
+28%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Romulus gained value faster than in Wayne County: 64% against 58%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Romulus did not change clearly, according to the Census.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Romulus and its comparisons
Measure
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.6%
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.2%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.61
2.50
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
80%
72%
74%
69%
Carpool
8%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
9%
14%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Romulus has 2.61 people on average, about the same as in Wayne County (2.50).
The car rules in Romulus: 80% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Romulus?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Romulus, worth $159,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income in Romulus, which is $69,151 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Wayne County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Romulus. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $5,583 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,427
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$156,611
Total interest
$225,326
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,694 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,614 a month
Your payment · 25%
Tight
$1,614 to $2,075 a month
Hard
more than $2,075 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Romulus ($69,151 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,061
Property tax
$229
Home insurance
$67
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$71
You need at least $5,583 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 $1,427; principal and interest $1,061.
The city and its county
Romulus and Wayne County
Romulus 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).
Romulus
Map of Wayne County, Michigan, with Romulus marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Romulus
Wayne County
Other cities with a page
Romulus's own numbers
Typical home value
$159,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,049
Typical yearly household income
$69,151
Households that own their home
70%
Effective property tax rate
1.72%
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.
A typical home in Romulus is worth $159,500: 11% below the county and 31% below Michigan. With the typical household income in Romulus ($69,151 a year), a typical home costs 2.3 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.
Romulus2.3 years
Wayne2.9 years
Michigan3.2 years
United States4.1 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
2016: +5.9% +5.9% 2016
2017: +7.1% +7.1% 2017
2018: +6.8% +6.8% 2018
2019: +4.7% +4.7% 2019
2020: +3.7% +3.7% 2020
2021: +11.3% +11.3% 2021
2022: +12.0% +12.0% 2022
2023: +6.5% +6.5% 2023
2024: +7.0% +7.0% 2024
2025: +5.3% +5.3% 2025
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
Romulus 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
Romulus$159,500
Wayne$178,500
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Romulus$1,049
Wayne$1,132
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Romulus$69,151
Wayne$60,539
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734
See the full table
Romulus next to Wayne County and Michigan
Measure
Romulus
Wayne County
Michigan
U.S.
Typical home value
$159,500 ▼11% below the county
$178,500
$231,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,049 ▼7% below the county
$1,132
$1,129
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$69,151 ▲14% above the county
$60,539
$72,875
$80,734
Households that own their home
70% ▲5 points above the county
65%
73%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,744 ▼6% below the county
$2,904
$2,904
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.72% ▲0.09 points above the county
1.63%
1.25%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
46% ▼8 points below 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 Romulus
For a typical $159,500 home in Romulus, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Romulus's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,427a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$5,583
Cash to close
$10,368
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $71
Conventional, 5% down$1,397a month
Down payment
$7,975
Cash to close
$12,760
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $76
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,159a month
Down payment
$31,900
Cash to close
$36,685
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,307a month
Down payment
$23,925
Cash to close
$28,710
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Romulus
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,427
$5,583
$156,611
7.18%
FHA MIP · $71
$10,368
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,397
$7,975
$151,525
7.18%
PMI · $76
$12,760
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,159
$31,900
$127,600
7.18%
None
$36,685
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,307
$23,925
$135,575
8.18%
None
$28,710
Set by the lender
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.
Typical rent in Romulus is $1,049 a month: 7% below the county. In Romulus, 46% 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.
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 Romulus
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Romulus has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,370 in 48174 to $1,390 in 48242.
None is above the fair market rent for Wayne County ($1,459).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Romulus, fiscal year 2027.
48174
$980
$1,100
$1,370
$1,670
$1,810
48242
$1,000
$1,110
$1,390
$1,690
$1,840
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
48174 $1,370$1,670
48242 $1,390$1,690
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Romulus 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 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
Romulus Public Housing5907 Chamberlain St, Romulus 48174101 low-income homes · Run by Romulus Housing Commission · Average payment: $476 a month · Average wait: 22 months · Homes at several sites(734) 729-5389
Woodside Square Apartments35452-35480 N Alexander, Romulus 4817485 low-income homes · For families(734) 729-6620
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.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Romulus or Wayne County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Romulus the same as in the rest of the state.
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).
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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Romulus or Wayne County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Romulus 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 Romulus?
The typical home value in Romulus is $159,500, 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 Romulus?
Typical rent in Romulus is $1,049 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 Romulus?
Romulus 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 Romulus?
The typical homeowner in Romulus pays $2,744 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.72% of the home’s value; in Wayne County, the rate is 1.63%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Romulus?
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.
