Median Age
33 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 18% of Residents
Under 20
32%
Over 65
13%
Benton Harbor, MI
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,030
Population
9,902
Renter Mix
63% Rent
Find your home in this lakeside gem
Waterfront
•
Beach
•
Lakeside
Benton Harbor is located in southwest Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan next to its sister town, Saint Joseph. The Paw Paw River and Saint Joseph River runs through this beautiful port town. The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is right in town, adding convenience for visitors and residents. Benton Harbor is known for its lively arts district. The city hosts a variety of events celebrating creativity. Every few months local galleries and business collaborate to host Art Hops, a free, family-friendly event. Master glassblowing and casting by taking classes at the non-profit studio Water Street Glassworks or applaud performers at the Mendel Center.
If you’re not an art aficionado, there is plenty of other awesome activities in Benton Harbor. View the dazzling shores of Lake Michigan as you spend a relaxing day on the green at the Golf Club at Harbor Shore. Take a beach day at Jean Klock Park, one of Benton Harbor’s 15 parks. Go beyond a traditional wine tasting at Vineyard 2121, a town favorite that hosts live concerts, festivals, weddings, art classes, and even kid-friendly events throughout the year. The city is filled with fun but if you’re looking for even more waterfront activities, Benton Harbor’s touristy twin, Saint Joseph, is only a 10-minute drive away.
Explore the City
Downtown Benton Harbor has unique shops you won't find anywhere else.
Enjoy the fresh air at the Harbor Shores Nature Trail in Benton Harbor.
Pick from your choice of housing styles in Benton Harbor.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$26,814
Average: $41,176
Education
922
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
4,023
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Benton Harbor has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
63%
Non-Renters
37%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
5%
Other Education
95%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Benton Harbor, MI is $661 for a studio, $1,030 for one bedroom, $1,057 for two bedrooms, and $1,149 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Benton Harbor has increased by 11.8% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,030/month
581 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Benton Harbor, MI is 18.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Benton Harbor is 38.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $661 - $1,149. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 7.8% less for utilities, and 0.4% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Benton Harbor, MI is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-8
65 Students
Sister Lakes Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
162 Students
Countryside Academy-Elementary
Public
Grades PK-5
371 Students
Public
Grades K-5
165 Students
Countryside Academy-High School
Public
Grades K-12
375 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
65 Students
Countryside Academy-High School
Public
Grades K-12
375 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
332 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
253 Students
Public
Grades 1-8
350 Students
Countryside Academy-High School
Public
Grades K-12
375 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
439 Students
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
Public
Grades 9-12
104 Students
Public
Grades 7-12
162 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
91 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Curious Kids' Museum
- Tiscornia Beach Park
- Sarett Nature Center
- Grand Mere State Park
Airports
- South Bend International
Top Apartments in Benton Harbor
Houses for Rent in Benton Harbor
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Nearby City Guides
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 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.