Living in Romulus
Romulus is the Wayne County city that is home to Detroit Metro Airport, with quiet subdivisions, newer houses than most of the area and quick access to I-94 and I-275. This guide covers what homes are listed for, how your tax bill depends on the street you pick, what's nearby and what to check before you buy.
Where is Romulus?
Romulus sits in western Wayne County, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport takes up the northern part of the city, and I-94 and I-275 both run through it, so downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor and the Downriver suburbs are all within an easy drive.
It borders Taylor to the east, Westland and Inkster to the north and Van Buren and Huron townships to the west and south. Homes here use the 48174 ZIP code.
What do homes in Romulus cost?
On October 25, 2026 there were 50 homes for sale in Romulus on the MLS, 47 of them single-family houses with a median asking price of $224,000. Asking prices ran from $35,000 to $499,000.
Romulus housing is newer than most of Wayne County. SEMCOG's 2024 building data counts 6,955 single-family homes with an average year built of 1973 and an average size of 1,437 square feet, so you see more ranches, bi-levels and newer subdivisions here than the 1920s bungalows common in Detroit.
Asking prices are a starting point, not a value. For a real number on a specific home, ask for a list of recorded sales on the street.
What are property taxes in Romulus?
Romulus taxes a primary residence at 44.9077 to 50.6896 mills, depending on the school district (2025 Michigan Treasury millage). Taxable value after a sale is roughly half the price, so a $350,000 home carries a bill of about $7,859 to $8,871 a year. The seller's bill on the listing is usually lower because their value was capped.
Romulus is split between three school districts: Wayne-Westland at 44.9077 mills, Woodhaven at 47.4226 and Romulus Community Schools at 50.6896. On a $350,000 home the gap between the lowest and highest is about $1,012 a year, decided only by which side of the boundary the house is on. The full breakdown is on the Romulus property tax page.
What is near Romulus: restaurants, shops and parks?
Local favorites include Leonardo's Italian Grille, Beirut Restaurant for Lebanese food, Clean to the Bone for barbecue, Romulus House Restaurant for breakfast and diner classics, and Thai Metro Bistro. Romulus House hosts a free community Thanksgiving dinner each year.
Downtown Romulus has a community park with playscapes, a pavilion and a hockey rink, and the Romulus Historical Park next to it holds the Romulus Historical Museum: an 1839 one-room schoolhouse, an 1855 house, a railroad freight house, a caboose and a windmill. The city's Athletic Center has an indoor aquatic center with a lazy river, plus a fitness area and basketball courts, and the Senior Center has a walking path and community gardens.
The city runs events all year, including the Pumpkin Festival in September, summer concerts and movies in the park downtown, and a Christmas tree lighting. For bigger shopping, Southland Center in neighboring Taylor is a short drive east. Hours and events change, so check before you go.
What should you check before buying in Romulus?
Confirm the school district for the exact address, since it changes the tax rate. Then look at airport noise: homes closest to DTW's runways and flight paths hear far more aircraft than homes a few miles away, so visit at different times of day.
Romulus water tested at 7 parts per billion for lead at the 90th percentile in the latest state monitoring, below Michigan's 12 ppb action level, and the average radon test in 48174 was 1.6 pCi/L. Those are citywide and ZIP-level screens; test the home itself and check the service line material during inspection.
Working with Andre in Romulus
Andre Abney is a Realtor with Match Realty in Detroit. Before you make an offer in Romulus, he'll show you your tax bill for the exact school district, your monthly payment and recorded sales on the street, so you know the real cost before you commit.
Common questions
What is the median asking price for a home in Romulus?
$224,000 median asking price across 47 single-family homes for sale on October 25, 2026, from the Realcomp MLS.
What is the property tax rate in Romulus, MI?
Between 44.9077 and 50.6896 mills for a primary residence in 2025, depending on whether the home is in the Wayne-Westland, Woodhaven or Romulus Community school district.
Is Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus?
Yes. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is inside the City of Romulus, which is why airport noise is worth checking for homes near the runways and flight paths.
What ZIP code is Romulus?
Romulus uses 48174.