salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 11.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $29,920 a year. That is $14 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 5 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alpena?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alpena
| Size | Alpena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $354 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $540 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $812 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $962 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,314 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alpena overall?
Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Alpena, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Alpena
Life in Alpena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alpena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $76 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $118,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,870 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alpena, MI?
Renting in Alpena costs a median of about $748 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Alpena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $29,920 a year, or $14 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alpena cheap or expensive?
Alpena is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.5% of the typical household income of $51,277. It ranks 5th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alpena?
The median homeowner in Alpena pays $1,754 a year in property taxes, about 1.48% of the median home value.
Is Alpena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Michigan are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Alpena?
The median home value in Alpena is $118,700, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
10,154 people live in Alpena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.