Moving in or out mid-month in Detroit? Enter your monthly rent and date to calculate exactly what you owe for a partial month, with Michigan deposit and notice rules for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Prorated rent is what you pay for a partial month when you move in or out on a day other than the first. With average Detroit rent near $1,150/month, the standard method divides monthly rent by the days in the month and multiplies by days occupied. Michigan law caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires the landlord to return the deposit, with an itemized list of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out. The tenant must provide a forwarding address within 4 days of moving out. Ending a month-to-month tenancy generally requires notice equal to one full rental period, typically 30 days.
| Rule (Michigan) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $1,150/month |
| Average 2-bedroom rent | $1,400/month |
| Security deposit limit | 1.5 months' rent (statewide cap) |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-out |
| Month-to-month notice | one full rental period (about 30 days) |
| Standard proration formula | Rent ÷ days in month × days occupied |
Example: rent is $1,150, move-in is the 10th of a 30-day month, so 21 days remain. Prorated rent is ($1,150 ÷ 30) × 21 = $805.
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and the historic capital of the American auto industry, headquarters to General Motors and Stellantis with a major Ford presence nearby, and is rebuilding around mobility technology, healthcare, finance, and a revitalized downtown and riverfront.
| Local Metric | Detroit (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 630,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Wayne County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.73/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,400/month |
| Median home price | $95,000 |
| Median household income | $39,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
Divide your monthly rent by the number of days in the move-in month, then multiply by the days you occupy the unit. For example, $1,150 rent divided by 30 days times 15 days occupied is $575. Use the calculator above for your dates.
Average rent in Detroit is about $1,150/month for a 1-bedroom and $1,400 for a 2-bedroom, which is why getting proration right matters when you move mid-month.
In Michigan the security deposit limit is 1.5 months' rent (statewide cap). The deposit must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Michigan law caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires the landlord to return the deposit, with an itemized list of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out. The tenant must provide a forwarding address within 4 days of moving out. Ending a month-to-month tenancy generally requires notice equal to one full rental period, typically 30 days.
In Michigan, one full rental period (about 30 days) of written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy, though your lease may require more. Notice timing also affects your final prorated rent.
There is no statute mandating a specific proration method in Michigan, but most landlords prorate as standard practice. Confirm the method in writing in your lease before signing to avoid disputes.