Detroit
Investment Analysis

Detroit, MI
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

8.1x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
12.3%
Recorded YoY field
-1.6%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$99,500
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,019/mo
Median Income
$38,080
Population
633,221

Housing Screening Context

Detroit has a computed screening multiple of 8.1x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 12.3%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -1.6%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,019
Annual Gross $12,228

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$124
Insurance (~0.5%) -$41
Maintenance (~1%) -$83
Est. Net Cash Flow $770/mo

Price Forecast 2026–2028

🔮 Detroit Price Forecast 20262028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis · Statistical projection
➡️ Stable
PROJECTEDNOW$76K2027$81K 5.6%2028$81K 6.4%20232024Now
$86K$71K
Current
$100K
2026
Projected
$81K
5.6% by 2027
Projected
$81K
6.4% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+1.0%
Confidence:Low
R²:0.09

Our Detroit housing market forecast for 2026-2028 suggests a period of stabilization and modest appreciation, driven primarily by the city's compelling affordability and ongoing redevelopment efforts. With a median home price of $74,571 and a price-to-rent ratio of just 5.4x, Detroit presents a stark value proposition compared to the national average, making homeownership accessible and supporting a strong BUY verdict for long-term investors. While the recent YoY price change of -1.4% may signal short-term softness, the five-year CAGR of 4.3% indicates a healthier underlying trend. The market's relatively low temperature of 61/100 and an A risk grade point toward a balanced environment, free from the speculative excess seen in hotter markets.

When asking will Detroit home prices drop significantly, the data suggests major declines are unlikely given the floor provided by strong rental demand and ongoing investments in downtown and Midtown. Continued economic diversification, particularly in tech and healthcare, alongside major projects like the Ford Michigan Central redevelopment, should support housing demand. However, challenges remain, including property taxes and neighborhood-specific blight, which could create pockets of stagnation. For those tracking Detroit real estate Detroit 2027, the key will be monitoring job growth against inventory levels. Overall, the forecast points to steady, incremental gains rather than explosive growth, positioning Detroit as a stable, fundamentals-driven market for the foreseeable future.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
9.4%
5yr CAGR
+1%

Job Market

Unemployment 4.0%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.2%

Healthcare

75
Score
Good

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin · 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 94.5%
Months Supply 6.9
Price Drops 26%
Gone in 2 Wks 25%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Detroit.

Total ROI
88%
on $19,900 invested
Annual ROI
13.4%
compounded
Total Return
$17,463
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
$200
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y121kY222kY323kY424kY525k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
$17,463
Final Equity
$24,565

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Detroit

Property

Purchase Price$99,500
Monthly Rent$1,019
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
$158
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
$1,890/ year
9.5%
Cash-on-Cash
8.0%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,019
− Mortgage (P&I)$503
− Property Tax$100
− Insurance$125
− Maintenance$83
− Vacancy Loss$51
= Net Cash Flow$158

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$19,900
Loan Amount
$79,600
Total Monthly Expenses
$861
Gross Yield
12.3%

Investor Toolkit

Research Detroit before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026