States › Michigan › Swartz Creek

Is Swartz Creek, MI expensive to live in?

OKRent takes 21 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,37921% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$77,189about $6,432/month · 11% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$174,20048% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 64% 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 $55,160 a year. That is $27 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 101 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Swartz Creek
$1,379
Richmond
$955
Petoskey
$1,113
Buena Vista
$1,002
Houghton Lake
$912
Belding
$739
Holly
$1,097

How much do households earn in Swartz Creek?

Under $25k
15.4%
$25k–50k
24.4%
$50k–100k
32.4%
$100k–150k
13.1%
$150k+
10.4%

Share of households by yearly income. 23.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Swartz Creek

SizeSwartz CreekU.S. average
1 bedroom$958$1,324
2 bedrooms$1,348$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,842$1,698

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

How expensive is Swartz Creek 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 Swartz Creek, so the Michigan figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Swartz Creek

🏛️ Property tax$2,693a year · 1.55% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$177a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Swartz Creek

Commute to work27.9 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree22%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home69.9%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line10.9%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment0.6%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Swartz Creek?

Buying is cheaper month to month: about $170 a month less than renting.

Renting
$1,379
Owning
$1,209

Owning assumes a typical $174,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,420 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Swartz Creek, MI?

Renting in Swartz Creek costs a median of about $1,379 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.

How much do I need to make to live in Swartz Creek?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,160 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Swartz Creek cheap or expensive?

Swartz Creek is rated OK: rent takes 21.4% of the typical household income of $77,189. It ranks 101st cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Swartz Creek?

The median homeowner in Swartz Creek pays $2,693 a year in property taxes, about 1.55% of the median home value.

Is Swartz Creek 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 Swartz Creek?

The median home value in Swartz Creek is $174,200, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.

5,853 people live in Swartz Creek. Numbers are typical (middle) values.