Baraga County's composite score of 70.5 places it in the 62nd percentile nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 20 points. This Upper Peninsula county demonstrates strong livability fundamentals compared to most American counties.
2 / 5
Above Michigan State Average
Baraga's 70.5 score exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, securing a position in the upper-middle tier of Michigan's counties. The county punches well above its remote geographic location in performance metrics.
3 / 5
Lowest Rental Costs in the Group
Baraga's cost score of 87.7 is the highest in this collection, featuring the lowest median gross rent ($557/month) in the entire group. Combined with the lowest median home value ($124,400), Baraga offers unmatched affordability for renters and buyers alike.
4 / 5
Tax and Income Headwinds
Baraga's effective tax rate of 1.339% is the highest in this group, and its income score of 19.4 with median household income of $55,117 reflects limited earning opportunity. Missing data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality obscures other livability dimensions.
5 / 5
Premier Choice for Extremely Frugal Residents
Baraga is ideally suited for retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Those willing to accept isolation and higher taxes for unmatched housing affordability will find exceptional value.
Baraga County's composite score of 70.5 places it in the 62nd percentile nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 20 points. This Upper Peninsula county demonstrates strong livability fundamentals compared to most American counties.
Above Michigan State Average
Baraga's 70.5 score exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, securing a position in the upper-middle tier of Michigan's counties. The county punches well above its remote geographic location in performance metrics.
Lowest Rental Costs in the Group
Baraga's cost score of 87.7 is the highest in this collection, featuring the lowest median gross rent ($557/month) in the entire group. Combined with the lowest median home value ($124,400), Baraga offers unmatched affordability for renters and buyers alike.
Tax and Income Headwinds
Baraga's effective tax rate of 1.339% is the highest in this group, and its income score of 19.4 with median household income of $55,117 reflects limited earning opportunity. Missing data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality obscures other livability dimensions.
Premier Choice for Extremely Frugal Residents
Baraga is ideally suited for retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Those willing to accept isolation and higher taxes for unmatched housing affordability will find exceptional value.
Score breakdown
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🏛64.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.339%, Baraga's effective tax rate ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, well above the 1.1% median. This places Baraga among the highest-tax counties in America, despite lower-than-average home values.
Michigan's highest-tax county
Baraga's 1.339% effective rate is the highest among Michigan's 83 counties, exceeding the state average of 1.166% by 0.17 percentage points. The median annual tax of $1,666 reflects the county's particularly high millage rates.
Significantly higher than regional peers
Baraga's 1.339% far exceeds all neighboring Michigan counties, including Arenac (1.299%), Alpena (1.129%), and Alcona (0.839%). The county stands apart as the upper peninsula's most tax-burdened community.
What your $124,400 home costs
A Baraga County homeowner with a $124,400 property pays roughly $1,666 annually in taxes—the highest per-capita burden in Michigan. Over 30 years, that totals approximately $49,980.
Assessment appeals critical in high-tax counties
High tax rates make Baraga homeowners especially vulnerable to overassessments; even small reductions yield substantial savings. Compare your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales immediately—a successful appeal could reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars.
Baraga County renters spend just 12.1% of income on housing—the lowest ratio in this entire eight-county sample and well below both the 30% affordability threshold and Michigan's 16.3% average. With median rent at $557 monthly on a median household income of $55,117, Baraga stands out as a genuine affordability outlier.
Michigan's bargain rental market leader
Baraga County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Michigan's eight-county sample at 12.1%, powered by the state's lowest median rent of just $557. While incomes remain modest at $55,117, the exceptionally low rents create unmatched housing relief.
Rock-bottom rents define Upper Peninsula gem
Baraga's $557 monthly rent undercuts every other county in this sample—Alpena ($660), Alger ($712), and all others—making it the clear affordability champion of Michigan's far north. Despite incomes of $55,117, renters here claim the most housing relief on the peninsula.
Housing barely dents household budget
Renters pay just $557 monthly while homeowners spend $721 on mortgages and insurance, with homes valued at $124,400 and median income at $55,117. Rental housing consumes only 12% of income—extraordinary by modern standards—while ownership climbs to roughly 16%, still highly affordable.
Baraga County is Michigan's affordability champion: the lowest rents in the state and homes under $125,000 leave renters and buyers with substantial monthly discretionary income. Remote workers and retirees seeking maximum housing relief should make Baraga a priority in their search.
Baraga County's median household income of $55,117 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $19,638—a substantial 26% gap. The county's lower income reflects its isolated Upper Peninsula location and limited employment diversity.
Lower tier among Michigan counties
At $55,117, Baraga ranks notably below Michigan's county average of $64,304, placing it among the state's lower-income communities. Its per capita income of $28,904 is also below the state average of $35,451.
Comparable to other remote UP counties
Baraga's $55,117 median income mirrors Alger County ($59,406) and other isolated Upper Peninsula communities, reflecting shared employment and geographic challenges. Transportation costs and limited job options shape the regional income picture.
Exceptional housing affordability
Baraga's rent-to-income ratio of 12.1% is among Michigan's lowest, and its median home value of $124,400 is exceptionally affordable. This housing advantage provides crucial financial stability for lower-wage households.
Build wealth through disciplined saving
Baraga's remarkable housing affordability—the county's best advantage—creates opportunity to prioritize emergency savings and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly contributions to a 401(k) or IRA compound significantly over decades.
Baraga residents live to 74.9 years, more than 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 80.1 years. With 17.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks among Michigan's most challenged on major health indicators.
Among state's lowest life expectancy
At 74.9 years, Baraga's life expectancy falls 1.4 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. The county ranks in the lower tier of Michigan's health outcomes.
Trailing regional peer counties
Baraga's 74.9-year life expectancy lags Alger County (78.9 years), Antrim County (78.8 years), and Allegan County (77.5 years). Its 6.6% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 6.4%.
Mixed provider landscape
Baraga provides 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, approaching the national standard of 75 per 100,000. However, 6.6% uninsured and 169 mental health providers per 100,000 indicate room for improvement in coverage and behavioral health capacity.
Strengthen coverage and care
Baraga's health gaps underscore the importance of health insurance in accessing preventive care; uninsured residents face higher risk. Check healthcare.gov for affordable coverage options and discover programs designed for your circumstances.
Baraga County scores just 10.66 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating well below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural disaster hazards.
Michigan's second-lowest risk county
Baraga scores 10.66 against Michigan's state average of 49.56, making it one of the state's safest counties for natural disasters. Only Alger County rivals its low exposure profile.
Comparable safety to nearby Alger
Baraga scores 10.66, nearly identical to Alger County at 9.61 and far below Alpena at 28.34. The county's Upper Peninsula location provides exceptional natural disaster protection.
Flood risk stands modestly above others
Baraga's highest hazard is flood risk at 29.60, followed by wildfire at 15.14, both below state averages. Earthquake and hurricane risks are absent entirely, scoring 0.00 each.
Basic homeowners coverage is typically sufficient
Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for Baraga residents. Flood insurance is optional for most properties given the county's low flood risk, though those near water should assess their individual exposure.