Alger County's composite score of 72.7 places it in the 73rd percentile nationally, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by nearly 23 points. This Upper Peninsula county ranks among the top quarter of U.S. counties on overall livability.
2 / 5
Second Strongest of Michigan's Smallest
Alger's 72.7 score ranks it above Michigan's state average of 68.7, securing a strong position in the upper portion of the state's county performance. The county punches above its small population size when measured on composite livability.
3 / 5
Affordable Living with Decent Earnings
Alger combines a cost score of 84.1—reflecting median rents of just $712/month—with the highest median household income ($59,406) in this county group. The tax score of 74.2 further supports a reasonable cost of living relative to what residents earn.
4 / 5
Income Growth Opportunities Are Limited
Despite being the highest-earning county in this group, Alger's income score of 22.2 remains well below national standards, indicating modest wage growth potential. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality leaves important livability dimensions unmeasured.
5 / 5
Best Fit for Remote Workers Seeking Quiet
Alger appeals to remote workers and families with flexible income who value low housing costs ($165,700 median home value) and minimal taxes. The county's relative affordability and reasonable local earnings make it an excellent choice for those unbothered by geographic isolation.
Alger County's composite score of 72.7 places it in the 73rd percentile nationally, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by nearly 23 points. This Upper Peninsula county ranks among the top quarter of U.S. counties on overall livability.
Second Strongest of Michigan's Smallest
Alger's 72.7 score ranks it above Michigan's state average of 68.7, securing a strong position in the upper portion of the state's county performance. The county punches above its small population size when measured on composite livability.
Affordable Living with Decent Earnings
Alger combines a cost score of 84.1—reflecting median rents of just $712/month—with the highest median household income ($59,406) in this county group. The tax score of 74.2 further supports a reasonable cost of living relative to what residents earn.
Income Growth Opportunities Are Limited
Despite being the highest-earning county in this group, Alger's income score of 22.2 remains well below national standards, indicating modest wage growth potential. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality leaves important livability dimensions unmeasured.
Best Fit for Remote Workers Seeking Quiet
Alger appeals to remote workers and families with flexible income who value low housing costs ($165,700 median home value) and minimal taxes. The county's relative affordability and reasonable local earnings make it an excellent choice for those unbothered by geographic isolation.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛74.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.997%, Alger County's effective tax rate is about 10% lower than the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the middle 40% nationally. The county's $1,652 median tax mirrors the lower tax burden across much of rural Michigan.
Below Michigan's average tax rate
Alger's 0.997% effective rate sits about 0.17 percentage points below Michigan's 1.166% average. At $1,652 in median annual taxes, residents pay $450 less than the state median of $2,102.
Moderate taxes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Alger's 0.997% rate falls between Baraga County (1.339%) and Alcona County (0.839%) in the region's tax spectrum. Among upper peninsula counties, it represents a moderate tax burden.
What your $165,700 home costs
An Alger County homeowner with a $165,700 property pays approximately $1,652 annually in property taxes. That's roughly $49,560 over a 30-year mortgage—competitive with similar-sized Michigan communities.
Appeal could help even moderate assessments
Even in lower-tax counties, assessment errors happen; homes may be valued above comparable sales in the area. Michigan homeowners can file a free assessment appeal, and recent declines in home values mean reassessments may be overdue.
Alger County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% ranks among the nation's most affordable, well below the 30% threshold and lower than most comparable rural counties. With a median rent of just $712 monthly against a median household income of $59,406, renters here retain more discretionary income than the national average.
Michigan's affordability leader among rural counties
Alger County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this eight-county sample at 14.4%, beating Michigan's state average of 16.3% by a significant margin. The county's combination of modest rents and adequate incomes creates notably stable housing affordability across the Upper Peninsula.
Lowest rents in northern Michigan cluster
Alger's $712 rent edges Alpena ($660) and trails only Baraga ($557) among neighboring counties, while incomes of $59,406 remain steady compared to Alcona ($53,568). This balance makes Alger the affordability sweet spot in Michigan's far north.
Housing claims less than one-sixth of income
Renters pay $712 monthly while homeowners carry $766 in costs, with a median home value of $165,700 that reflects modest property appreciation. Together, housing demands roughly 14–15% of the $59,406 median household income, leaving substantial breathing room.
Upper Peninsula gateway with genuine affordability
Alger County delivers rare affordability—low rents, manageable home prices, and incomes that actually cover them comfortably. Remote workers and retirees seeking authentic rural Michigan will find few better options for housing-cost relief.
Alger County's median household income of $59,406 falls $15,349 short of the national median of $74,755—a 20% gap. The county's income level reflects employment patterns typical of rural Upper Peninsula communities with limited urban job centers.
Middle-of-the-road for Michigan
Alger's $59,406 median household income ranks slightly below Michigan's county average of $64,304, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county's per capita income of $28,250 slightly trails the state average of $35,451, indicating income distribution challenges.
Strongest earner among far-north counties
At $59,406, Alger County's median income exceeds Alpena ($51,909) and Arenac ($56,989), making it one of the better-performing counties in Michigan's northeastern region. This edge reflects its position as a regional hub in Marquette's economic orbit.
Low housing burden supports stability
Alger's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is among Michigan's lowest, meaning housing costs consume less than one-sixth of median income. With a median home value of $165,700, residents enjoy solid affordability and financial breathing room.
Leverage low housing costs for investing
Alger's exceptionally low rent-to-income ratio creates an opportunity to redirect housing savings into retirement and investment accounts. Building a diversified portfolio early can help local households overcome modest wage growth and plan for long-term prosperity.
Alger County residents live to 78.9 years, nearly matching the U.S. average of 80.1 years and ranking among Michigan's healthiest counties. Only 16.9% report poor or fair health, indicating strong overall population wellness.
Leading Michigan's health outcomes
Alger's 78.9-year life expectancy significantly outpaces Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the top tier for longevity. The county ranks among Michigan's 83 counties with the best health metrics.
Among the healthiest in the region
Alger leads nearby Alcona County (75.1 years) and nearly matches Antrim County (78.8 years). Its 6.0% uninsured rate is also lower than the state average of 6.4%, supporting better healthcare access.
Strong primary care infrastructure
Alger provides 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, exceeding national standards of 75 per 100,000. With 6.0% uninsured and 91 mental health providers per 100,000, the county supports comprehensive healthcare access.
Keep coverage strong and continuous
Alger's low 6.0% uninsured rate reflects strong enrollment, but maintaining coverage is critical to these positive health outcomes. Review your plan annually at healthcare.gov to ensure continued protection.
Alger County's composite risk score of 9.61 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average. The county faces minimal exposure across virtually all major natural disaster hazards.
Michigan's lowest-risk county
Alger County scores just 9.61 against Michigan's state average of 49.56, making it one of the state's safest jurisdictions. The county's Very Low rating reflects minimal vulnerability to most disaster types.
Lower risk than regional counterparts
Alger's score of 9.61 significantly outpaces Baraga County at 10.66 and substantially beats Alpena County at 28.34. The county's Upper Peninsula location offers notable natural disaster protection.
Modest flood risk, minimal others
Alger's highest hazard exposure is flood risk at 22.04, followed by wildfire at 28.91, both below state norms. Earthquake and hurricane risks are essentially absent, scoring 1.02 and 0.00 respectively.
Basic coverage meets most needs
A standard homeowners policy provides adequate protection for Alger residents, covering tornado and wind damage. Flood insurance remains optional given the county's low flood exposure, though waterfront properties should consider it.