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. Most homes (80.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $36,480 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 19 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Houghton Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Houghton Lake
| Size | Houghton Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $525 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $936 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,032 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Houghton Lake 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 Houghton Lake, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Houghton Lake
Life in Houghton Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Houghton Lake?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $36 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $126,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Houghton Lake, MI?
Renting in Houghton Lake costs a median of about $912 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Houghton Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $36,480 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Houghton Lake cheap or expensive?
Houghton Lake is rated OK: rent takes 20.2% of the typical household income of $54,254. It ranks 19th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Houghton Lake?
The median homeowner in Houghton Lake pays $1,306 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is Houghton Lake 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 Houghton Lake?
The median home value in Houghton Lake is $126,200, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
5,769 people live in Houghton Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.