Deep Dive into Metro Detroit Ring Cities: Hazel Park
We created these Deep Dives to answer the question: “Where are the best areas to invest in rental properties in Metro Detroit?”
Today’s area–Hazel Park, Michigan–is definitely one of them.
In this series, our aim is to break down the metro area’s 185 cities and 290 neighborhoods–nuances, warts, and all–so that you can get a real sense of the area as an out-of-state investor, or someone who might not be familiar with Detroit block-by-block.
And if we had to cherry-pick the best spots we’d recommend for buy-and-hold investing, Hazel Park would certainly be on that list.
Here’s why.
A Rental Investor’s Virtual Tour of Hazel Park, MI
What makes this such a great location for landlording?
We took to the streets to show you the kinds of properties on offer, and to give you a taste of the local flavor of Hazel Park:
As you can see, this is an ideal place to invest, with:
- Affordable property prices
- Rents that often meet the 1% Rule
- Good-quality housing stock
- High demand from quality tenants
- Easy accessibility to Detroit
But don’t just take our word for it.
Let’s deep dive into the numbers to show you exactly how Hazel Park stacks up as an investment area.
At the end, we’ll give it a Rental Investment Report Card score, and we’ll even tell you exactly which streets to focus on (and which to avoid) in your property search–so stick around!
Overview of Hazel Park, Michigan
Hazel Park is what we like to call a “Ring City”–a suburb that directly borders the City of Detroit to the north:
For decades, Hazel Park was known as a Class C, blue-collar community.
But as Ferndale to the west and the cities to the north continue to get more expensive, more and more white-collar professionals are moving in.
Ferndale has average property prices of $253,281– 58% higher than Hazel Park–and average rents of $1,750. By comparison, Hazel Park is an affordable, attractive alternative for investors and tenants alike. Plus, it’s known for its up-and-coming vibe, and I-75 runs right through it, making it highly accessible.
So, while house values were as low as $20-40k in the early 2000s, they’ve now tripled.
This Class C area is now firmly Class B, with a diverse community that includes service providers, office professionals, and college-aged people. Many take pride in living in what they call a “cool suburb” with a unique mix of old charm and new energy.
In fact, some areas here are now bordering on Class A. There are tons of developers coming in and putting up new homes, which are selling for $300k and up.
20 years ago that would have been inconceivable, but here we are.
Here are some quick facts to show you what we mean:
While prices are on the rise, with an average of around $160k, it’s still very affordable to buy in Hazel Park. But it probably won’t be for long.
So there’s no time to waste if you want to get in on the ground floor here.
Housing Market Analysis
Our last Deep Dive into Hazel Park was nearly 5 years ago. Back then, the average sale price was $120,977 and the average monthly rent was around $1,080.
Let’s see how property prices and rents have fared since then.
Sale Trends
As of October 2025, the average home value in Hazel Park is $160,664:
As you can see, home values here have been climbing steadily for the past decade, and will continue to do so, thanks to high demand.
There’s been a slight dip (-2.3%) in the past year, but we feel this is because quite a few empty/distressed lots have been sold recently for redevelopment.
Expect those numbers to jump again once those new constructions hit the market.
Want more info on specific investment opportunities in Hazel Park, Detroit, or Michigan? Contact us for a free consultation.
Rent Trends
In 2020, the average rent was $1,080 in Hazel Park.
Fast-forward 5 years, and both rents and house values are up more than 30%:
With rental appreciation slightly outpacing property value appreciation, this is good news for investors seeking solid cash flow.
On that note, let’s look at some actual properties on the market (as of the time of writing), and see how an investment here would add up.
Rental Investment Opportunities in Hazel Park, MI
As of October 2025, there are 73 properties on the market–53 of which are single-family homes (SFHs), the most popular type of unit here.
There are 53 rentals on the market right now–100% of which are SFHs:
It’s not easy to see from these Zillow maps, but E 9 Mile Road forms somewhat of a boundary line across the middle of Hazel Park.
Properties to the north of 9 Mile tend to be slightly more affordable, in the Class B range, whereas those to the south tend to be more expensive, in the Class-A range.
Let’s zero in on a few of these properties now to show you some real-world examples.
Example Investment Properties
We’re going to compare two different propositions: one rent-ready property, and one with the potential to add value through renovations.
- The Turnkey Rental (Perfect for First-Time Investors)
This is a small 2-bedroom house which is in turnkey condition, ready for a tenant to move in ASAP:
It’s not easy to see from these Zillow maps, but E 9 Mile Road forms somewhat of a boundary line across the middle of Hazel Park.
Properties to the north of 9 Mile tend to be slightly more affordable, in the Class B range, whereas those to the south tend to be more expensive, in the Class-A range.
Let’s zero in on a few of these properties now to show you some real-world examples.
Example Investment Properties
We’re going to compare two different propositions: one rent-ready property, and one with the potential to add value through renovations.
- The Turnkey Rental (Perfect for First-Time Investors)
This is a small 2-bedroom house which is in turnkey condition, ready for a tenant to move in ASAP:
This property is a little on the small side–we usually don’t recommend buying a 3 bedroom unit unless it’s 1000 sq. ft. or more, and this just fits that requirement–but the price is right and it’s FSBO, so maybe there’s a motivated seller behind it.
It definitely needs some renovating to achieve the estimated rent of $1,700, but if you’re willing to do the work, here’s how it could look:
Purchase Price: $104,000
Repair Costs: $20,000
After-Repair Value: $124,000
Rent Zestimate: $1,700
RTP Ratio: 1.37%
That’s pretty strong cash flow potential.
Area and Tenant Quality
Now that you’ve seen the numbers, let’s talk about what the Hazel Park area is really like to live in. We’ll cover:
- Housing Stock Quality
- Tenant Quality
- Area Development
- Crime & Safety
To show you why this Class B neighborhood is so popular with both tenants and landlords.
Fun Fact: Hazel Park is also home to one of the best-kept foodie secrets in Metro Detroit: Mabel Gray. (Just go try to book a weekend reservation online. You’ll see what we mean.)
With a chef’s menu and only 2 seatings per night, it’s a very special experience to close off a day of house-hunting.
So if you’re visiting, plan in advance and try to book a table. You will NOT regret it.
Housing Stock
Here’s a breakdown of the types of properties you can expect in Hazel Park:
- Average Property Age: 66 years
- Homeownership Rate: 60%, meaning many well-maintained properties and a high standard of care.
- Property Types:
- The majority are single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms.
- Built primarily between 1940–1969, with 200–300 new homes added in recent years.
- Architectural Styles:
- Post-World War II domestic architecture, including classic Cape Cod styles and bungalows.
- Many homes are smaller, around 1,000 square feet, with ranch-style layouts.
- Community Atmosphere:
- Family-friendly neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and a strong sense of community.
With affordable, well-maintained properties, both owner-occupiers and investors flock to this area.
There are more new homes being built now, but with a mix of 1940’s properties, just be mindful that older homes may require more maintenance and costly fixes–always budget accordingly when planning a purchase.
Tenant Stock
Tenants are the most important part of any rental investment.
So, what kind of tenants like to call Hazel Park home?
Here’s a snapshot:
This “up-and-coming” neighborhood attracts families, white-collar professionals, and college-age tenants alike, and the demographic is increasingly trending up.
And with an average household income of $74,660, most Hazel Park residents should be capable of paying rent consistently each month (based on the “Rent should = 3x monthly salary” rule):
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- Average Monthly Household Income: $6,221.66
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,500
- Income = 4.15x Monthly Rent
In summary, thanks to its strong community feel, proximity to the city, and the fact that it’s so much more affordable than neighboring areas like Ferndale, Hazel Park will always be popular with Class A and B tenants.
Economic Development
Hazel Park has been making significant strides in infrastructure and development:
- City Hall Renovation: The City Hall office building recently underwent a major addition and renovation, reflecting the city’s commitment to modernization.
- Road Upgrades: The two major crossroads, John R and 9 Mile Roads, have been completely redone, improving accessibility and aesthetics.
- Brewery Scene: The local brewery adds to the area’s up-and-coming vibe, signaling a shift toward a more modern identity.
Crime and Safety
Compared to Metro Detroit as a whole, Hazel Park is very safe. Whereas crime rates in the City of Detroit are almost always above national averages, robberies, thefts and burglaries are all below national average in Hazel Park.
When surveyed, the majority of residents rate it as “pretty” or “very safe,” according to Niche, and say it’s filled with “good people [who are] big on community and family.”
In fact, the biggest complaint from residents is how strict the local government is on maintenance codes–good news if you’re looking for a well-kept investment property.
Always be mindful of 8 Mile, however–the streets abutting it do have higher crime rates than the rest of Hazel Park.
Investment Report Card
Now let’s add all of this up and see how Hazel Park performs.
We’ve created this standardized Report Card for each city we cover, so you can understand how we evaluate and determine the overall scores:
In summary, this is a solid Class B area that’s trending towards Class A, thanks to:
- Home Value Growth: Once considered a Class C area with home values in the $20,000–$40,000 range, property values have now tripled. Despite this growth, Hazel Park remains relatively affordable compared to nearby cities.
- New Construction: Developers are actively tearing down older properties and building new construction homes priced at $300,000 or more, targeting the Class A market—something that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago.
- Affordability: Compared to neighboring Ferndale, where average property prices are $253,281 (58% higher than Hazel Park) and rents average $1,750, Hazel Park offers a more affordable alternative.
- Accessibility: With I-75 running through the city, Hazel Park is highly accessible, making it convenient for commuters and residents.
So, if you’ve been considering buying in Ferndale, we’d advise looking at Hazel Park instead.
And if you do, these are some good streets to start your search (as well as a few to potentially avoid):
Here’s a clean and sensible bullet list summarizing the streets to focus on and avoid in Hazel Park for your Deep Dive:
Streets to Focus On:
- Elza Street: A standout area with lots of new construction and rising property values. This street is on the upswing, with prices likely to match nearby Ferndale soon. If you want to capitalize on appreciation potential, try to snag a deal here (like the property we viewed for $124k above).
- 382 W Hayes Street: A mix of fully renovated, turnkey properties and new construction. This street is transitioning from Class B (1940s-built homes) to Class A, offering both cash flow and strong appreciation potential.
- North of 9 Mile Road: Predominantly Class B properties with solid tenant demand. A reliable area for rental investors seeking stable returns.
Streets to Avoid:
- South Chrysler Drive: Properties here and in the surrounding streets are located right next to the freeway, making them less desirable for tenants.
- Blocks Backing Up to 8 Mile Road: These areas border Detroit and tend to attract lower-quality tenants (C-D class). They may not offer the stability or returns you’ll see in other areas of Hazel Park.
Hazel Park is a prime example of why it’s better to be Logical—by targeting the right streets, you can unlock both cash flow and appreciation potential.
If you’re ready to invest in Metro Detroit, our team is here to help you find, analyze, and manage the perfect property. Contact us today to get started.