States › Michigan › Dowagiac

Is Dowagiac, MI expensive to live in?

OKRent takes 21 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$92947% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$51,947about $4,329/month · 40% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$130,80061% lower than U.S. average

Rent 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.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,160 a year. That is $18 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 23 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Dowagiac
$929
Dundee
$1,471
Houghton Lake
$912
Buena Vista
$1,002
Zeeland
$1,122
Swartz Creek
$1,379
Richmond
$955

How much do households earn in Dowagiac?

Under $25k
24.4%
$25k–50k
26.4%
$50k–100k
30.7%
$100k–150k
5.0%
$150k+
7.5%

Share of households by yearly income. 12.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Dowagiac

SizeDowagiacU.S. average
1 bedroom$353$1,324
2 bedrooms$1,064$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,110$1,698

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

How expensive is Dowagiac 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 Dowagiac, so the Michigan figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Dowagiac

🏛️ Property tax$1,348a year · 1.03% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$153a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Dowagiac

Commute to work22.6 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree12.4%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home58.1%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line21.4%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment8.9%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dowagiac?

About the same. Renting and owning cost within $21 of each other each month.

Renting
$929
Owning
$908

Owning assumes a typical $130,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,080 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Dowagiac, MI?

Renting in Dowagiac costs a median of about $929 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.

How much do I need to make to live in Dowagiac?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,160 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Dowagiac cheap or expensive?

Dowagiac is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $51,947. It ranks 23rd cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Dowagiac?

The median homeowner in Dowagiac pays $1,348 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.

Is Dowagiac 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 Dowagiac?

The median home value in Dowagiac is $130,800, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.

5,732 people live in Dowagiac. Numbers are typical (middle) values.