salaryRent is lower than in 61% 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 $58,080 a year. That is $28 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 112 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Muskegon?
Share of households by yearly income. 8.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Muskegon
| Size | Muskegon | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $812 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,199 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,416 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $989 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Muskegon overall?
Everyday prices in the Muskegon-Norton Shores metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Muskegon
Life in Muskegon
What jobs pay in Muskegon
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,460 | 12.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,230 | 13.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,670 | 14.8% |
| Software Developer | $101,940 | 17.1% |
| Lawyer | $97,300 | 17.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,140 | 18.7% |
| Operations Manager | $86,200 | 20.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $79,840 | 21.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,660 | 21.9% |
| Electrician | $77,100 | 22.6% |
| Police Officer | $76,430 | 22.8% |
| Plumber | $76,290 | 22.8% |
| Accountant | $75,480 | 23.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,660 | 27.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,290 | 28.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,400 | 29.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,550 | 30.8% |
| Truck Driver | $50,500 | 34.5% |
| Carpenter | $48,830 | 35.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $44,920 | 38.8% |
| Firefighter | $41,580 | 41.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,760 | 42.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,190 | 43.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,760 | 45.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,330 | 45.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,810 | 48.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,570 | 57.0% |
| Cashier | $28,590 | 60.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Muskegon?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $465 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $142,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $14,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Muskegon, MI?
Renting in Muskegon costs a median of about $1,452 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Muskegon?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,080 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Muskegon cheap or expensive?
Muskegon is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.1% of the typical household income of $48,247. It ranks 112th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Muskegon?
The median homeowner in Muskegon pays $1,468 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is Muskegon more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Muskegon?
The median home value in Muskegon is $142,300, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
37,226 people live in Muskegon. Numbers are typical (middle) values.