salaryRent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 10.7 minutes. Most households rent (63%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 68.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,120 a year. That is $21 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 52 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Houghton?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Houghton
| Size | Houghton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $981 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $708 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,145 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,701 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,189 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Houghton 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, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Houghton
Life in Houghton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Houghton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $688 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $254,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,450 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Houghton, MI?
Renting in Houghton costs a median of about $1,078 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Houghton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,120 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Houghton cheap or expensive?
Houghton is rated OK: rent takes 27.6% of the typical household income of $46,867. It ranks 52nd cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Houghton?
The median homeowner in Houghton pays $4,474 a year in property taxes, about 1.76% of the median home value.
Is Houghton 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?
The median home value in Houghton is $254,500, about 5.4 times the typical yearly household income.
8,474 people live in Houghton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.