Kalamazoo

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Kalamazoo, MI

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Western Michigan University calls this close-knit community home

College Town Museums Affordable Vibrant Diverse Public Transit

Nestled in southwestern Michigan between Chicago and Detroit, Kalamazoo is the fun-loving home to Western Michigan University. This college town boasts a sprawling campus and innumerable entertainment options. Locals enjoy cheering on the Broncos at Waldo Stadium and watching the Kalamazoo Wings at Wings Event Center. But more than just athletic events, this lively city features top-notch local amenities.

After you find your affordable apartment in the city, you can sample the craft brews at Bell’s Brewery, taste the fresh produce at the Bank Street Farmers Market, peruse the outdoor Kalamazoo Mall, or catch a live performance at Famers Alley Theatre. Outdoor recreation and exploration is a popular activity in this suburb, from the biking trails at the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail to the exhibits and walking trails at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

Whether you’re an art, science, or culture enthusiast, Kalamazoo has you covered! Check out the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and Gilmore Car Museum. This community comes together for several seasonal festivals, including the Kalamazoo Animation Festival International, Irving Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, and the Bach Festival.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Kalamazoo, MI is $947 for a studio, $1,054 for one bedroom, $1,292 for two bedrooms, and $1,539 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Kalamazoo has increased by 2.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,054/month
700 Sq Ft
House
$1,773/month
1,217 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,905/month
939 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Kalamazoo, MI

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Kalamazoo, MI is 15.5% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Kalamazoo is 40.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $947 - $1,539. You can expect to pay 2.6% less for groceries, 0.6% more for utilities, and 4.8% less for transportation.

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Transportation

51

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

51

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Comstock STEM Academy

Public

Grades K-8

260 Students

9
out of 10

Alamo Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

285 Students

7
out of 10

Parchment Northwood Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-3

179 Students

7
out of 10

Parchment Central Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-3

292 Students

6
out of 10

Cooper Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

259 Students

6
out of 10

Comstock STEM Academy

Public

Grades K-8

260 Students

9
out of 10

Parchment High School

Public

Grades 8-12

434 Students

7
out of 10

Maple Street Magnet School For The Arts

Public

Grades 6-8

860 Students

4
out of 10

Milwood Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

742 Students

3
out of 10

Linden Grove Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

3
out of 10

Parchment High School

Public

Grades 8-12

434 Students

7
out of 10

Loy Norrix High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,771 Students

5
out of 10

Kalamazoo Central High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,612 Students

5
out of 10

Comstock High School

Public

Grades 9-12

378 Students

4
out of 10

Valley Center School

Public

Grades 1-12

32 Students

2
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Kalamazoo Valley Museum
  • Kalamazoo Nature Center
  • Chipman Preserve
  • Wolf Lake Hatchery Visitor Center

Airports

  • Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International

Top Apartments in Kalamazoo

Houses for Rent in Kalamazoo

Property Management Companies in Kalamazoo, MI

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.