Real Estate Investing in Detroit, Michigan (48214)

Wayne County • Population: 19,014 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 48214 (Detroit, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 28.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -5.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 5.5% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 22.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Detroit, MI (48214)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $87,344
Avg Monthly Rent $1,183
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $31,833
% Renters 58.9%

Market Analysis: 48214 Detroit

ZIP 48214 offers what many appreciation markets cannot: an affordable basis at $87K and rent support of $1,183/mo for rehab-driven equity creation in Wayne County.

Investors in 48214 do not buy the market average — they buy the unit they can improve. $87K median pricing and $1,183/mo comps define the envelope within which the work has to pay.

Across Detroit, pockets like 48214 represent the last affordable rungs of a rising ladder. The state-level data shows those rungs thinning.

Demographically, 48214 is a working ZIP — not a luxury market. That profile is exactly what value-add operators need in order to price their renovated product correctly.

The strategy in 48214 is forced equity, not market equity. Looking more closely, entry prices are accommodating at $87K, the returns sit in the renovation budget, not the holding period.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Detroit:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-5.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,183/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
30 days
Average time to sell
Fast
9.8%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 48214

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
10.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$29,116/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $61,308 $850 10.0% $61,308
2BR $98,229 $1,070 7.8% -1.4% $49,115
3BR $87,348 $1,310 10.8% +1.0% $29,116
4BR $177,208 $1,420 5.8% +2.1% $44,302
5BR $450,375 +4.8% $90,075

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$124K$103K$82K$61K$40K$20KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,276$1,212$1,148$1,083$1,019$954Feb 2022Apr 2024May 2026

📊 How Does 48214 Compare?

Metric 48214 Detroit Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Michigan
Home Value $87,344 $99,076 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR N/A 2.0% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,183 $1,289 N/A -
Cap Rate 10.6% 11.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48214? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,183/mo on homes averaging $87,344 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

59% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 48214 (Detroit, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Wayne County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Metro Detroit Property Management manages and maintains properties with high standards, committed to the success of real estate investments in the Metro Detroit area. summary from their website

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Michigan Property Management Solutions offers homes for rent in Michigan, near Macomb Twp., Fraser, Utica, Clinton Valley, and Detroit. summary from their website

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Premier Property Services offers real estate services in Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, and Grosse Pointe Woods. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
10.6%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-5.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $87,344
Monthly Rent $1,183
Price-to-Rent 6.2:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 16.3%
Cap Rate 10.6%
5-Year IRR 5.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -5.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -5.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 10.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (10.6%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
28.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-5.4%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48214

Population: 19,014

💰 Median Household Income
$31,833
This area
$31,833
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
58.9%
This area
58.9%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.2%
This area
24.2%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.4 years
This area
45.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
28.0%
This area
28.0%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 80.2%
White 15.5%
Other/Mixed 4.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
15.8%
This area
15.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 48214

B+ Avg School Grade
11 Schools
18.6:1 Avg Class Size
$21,205 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Garvey Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
409 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
369 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Southeastern High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
636 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Nichols ElementaryMiddle School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
283 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Moses Field Center

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
61 Students
👨‍🏫
6.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Detroit Prep

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
448 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$34,995 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Barack Obama Leadership Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,630 Per Student
B Good

Detroit Lions Academy

📚 06 – 08 Middle Limited Data
💰
$22,228 Per Student
C+ Average

The James and Grace Lee Boggs School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
161 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,894 Per Student
C+ Average

Detroit Enterprise Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
759 Students
👨‍🏫
24.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,358 Per Student
C Below Average

Pathways Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
159 Students
👨‍🏫
39.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,010 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 10,003 Off-Campus Students
C+
Dymond Designs Beauty School
69 students · 2.1 mi
C
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
63 students · 3.8 mi
C
College for Creative Studies
1,459 students · 3.9 mi
B
Wayne State University
23,553 students · 4.2 mi
C
Wayne County Community College District
12,554 students · 4.3 mi
D
DSDT
202 students · 5.5 mi
C+
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
357 students · 6.4 mi
D
The Michigan Barber School
82 students · 7.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 10,003 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Detroit, MI?

Investors in Detroit, MI typically see rents near $1,183/mo per month against $87K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Detroit, MI?

The house hack math an attractive in Detroit, MI. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,183/mo rents and $87K home values.

Should investors consider Detroit, MI?

The 4.0/5 investability rating in Detroit, MI reflects its $87K prices and $1,183/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MI.

How do home values compare in Detroit, MI?

Homes in Detroit, MI typically sell near $87K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

Does Detroit, MI meet the 1% rule for rental property?

With rents of $1,183/mo on $87K homes, Detroit, MI close to the 1% rule for most properties. The actual rent-to-price ratio is 1.35%.

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