States › Michigan › Center Line

Is Center Line, MI expensive to live in?

ExpensiveRent takes 34 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,6595% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$58,997about $4,916/month · 32% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$156,60053% lower than U.S. average

Rent is higher than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,360 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?

No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 134 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Center Line
$1,659
Houghton
$1,078
Big Rapids
$1,198
Beecher
$1,177
Menominee
$813
Highland Park
$741
Flushing
$864

How much do households earn in Center Line?

Under $25k
25.2%
$25k–50k
25.6%
$50k–100k
27.4%
$100k–150k
14.0%
$150k+
4.8%

Share of households by yearly income. 18.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Center Line

SizeCenter LineU.S. average
1 bedroom$588$1,324
2 bedrooms$878$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,775$1,698

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Center Line overall?

Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).

Housing
82
Goods (food, clothes…)
96
Utilities
100
Other services
101
U.S. average
100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Center Line, so the Michigan figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Center Line

🏛️ Property tax$2,885a year · 1.84% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$110a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Center Line

Commute to work22.6 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree16.7%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home52.2%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line16.8%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment6.8%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Center Line?

Buying is cheaper month to month: about $572 a month less than renting.

Renting
$1,659
Owning
$1,087

Owning assumes a typical $156,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,660 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Center Line, MI?

Renting in Center Line costs a median of about $1,659 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.

How much do I need to make to live in Center Line?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,360 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Center Line cheap or expensive?

Center Line is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.7% of the typical household income of $58,997. It ranks 134th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Center Line?

The median homeowner in Center Line pays $2,885 a year in property taxes, about 1.84% of the median home value.

Is Center Line 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 Center Line?

The median home value in Center Line is $156,600, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.

8,463 people live in Center Line. Numbers are typical (middle) values.