Real Estate Investing in Brighton, Michigan (48116)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Livingston County • Population: 27,817 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48116 (Brighton, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Brighton, MI (48116)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $422,044
Avg Monthly Rent $2,642
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $101,881
% Renters 14.6%

Market Analysis: 48116 Brighton

Investors eyeing 48116 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $422K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Rent of $2,642/mo on a $422K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 48116 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 48116 sits on the difficult end of the MI spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 48116 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The right play in 48116 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

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

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,642/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
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 August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 48116

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$127,389/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $162,928 $1,210 5.3% +6.8% $162,928
2BR $303,884 $1,390 3.3% +7.2% $151,942
3BR $382,167 $1,930 3.6% +7.0% $127,389
4BR $515,114 $2,180 3.0% +7.2% $128,778
5BR $695,693 +7.2% $139,139

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$443K$382K$320K$258K$196K$134KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,675$2,578$2,480$2,383$2,285$2,188Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48116 Compare?

Metric 48116 Brighton Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Michigan
Home Value $422,044 $455,236 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.4% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $2,642 $2,041 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.9% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48116? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 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 48116 (Brighton, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $422,044
Monthly Rent $2,642
Price-to-Rent 13.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +11.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
6.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48116

Population: 27,817

💰 Median Household Income
$101,881
This area
$101,881
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.0%
This area
50.0%
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
6.5%
This area
6.5%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.0%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.1%
Asian 0.8%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
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 48116

B+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$19,872 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Hawkins Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
551 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
A Very Good

Maltby Intermediate School

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
843 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
A Very Good

Hornung Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
561 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Scranton Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
849 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Bridge Alternative High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
86 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Charyl Stockwell Academy High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
317 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,435 Per Student
B Good

Brighton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,901 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,140 Per Student
B Good

Charyl Stockwell Academy Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,435 Per Student
B Good

Miller

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$21,140 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

3 Nearby
C+
Brighton Institute of Cosmetology
44 students · 2.2 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Brighton
26 students · 3.2 mi
C
Cleary University
1,040 students · 7.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How should investors approach Brighton, MI?

Most investors in Brighton, MI run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Is the tenant base reliable in Brighton, MI?

The renter base in Brighton, MI is reasonable for the $2,642/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

What are rental rates like in Brighton, MI?

Average rent in Brighton, MI is approximately $2,642/mo per month. Against $422K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How tight is the rental market in Brighton, MI?

Brighton, MI carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $2,642/mo.

Does Brighton, MI favor landlords or tenants?

Brighton, MI operates under MI law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect stable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

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How 48116 ranks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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