Houghton County

Michigan · MI

#23 in Michigan
71.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Houghton County, Michigan

Houghton ranks in top third nationally

Houghton County's score of 69.1 places it in the 69th percentile across the United States, well above the national median of 50.0. This Upper Peninsula county demonstrates competitive livability despite its remote location.

Exceeds Michigan's statewide average

At 69.1, Houghton slightly outperforms Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking among the state's stronger performers on livability. This achievement highlights rural Michigan's competitive positioning.

Exceptional housing affordability stands out

Houghton scores 83.2 on cost, with median rents of just $767/month and home values of $140,300 among Michigan's most affordable. The tax score of 66.6 offers reasonable tax burden at 1.269% effective rate, supporting household budgets.

Limited income opportunities in remote area

The income score of 20.3 reflects a median household income of $56,573, among the lowest in this group and reflecting limited local employment prospects. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for this Upper Peninsula county.

Perfect for self-sufficient remote workers

Houghton County suits remote workers and retirees seeking exceptional affordability and low cost of living in a quiet Upper Peninsula setting. Its isolation means it's less suited for those dependent on diverse local job markets or frequent urban amenities.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.6Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.3Risk75.7WaterComing Soon
🏛66.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
76.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
75.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Houghton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Houghton County

via TaxByCounty

Houghton taxes run above national norms

Houghton County's 1.269% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.098%, placing it in the 61st percentile. The median property tax of $1,780 runs about 34% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Michigan's lower home values.

Slightly above Michigan average

At 1.269%, Houghton's effective rate runs 9% above Michigan's state average of 1.166%, ranking it in the upper-middle third of the state's 83 counties. Its median property tax of $1,780 falls below the state median of $2,102.

Middle ground in the UP

Houghton's 1.269% rate sits almost perfectly between Gogebic (1.492%) to the west and Gladwin (1.183%) in the Lower Peninsula. It represents a moderate tax burden for Upper Peninsula residents.

What a typical home costs

On a median home valued at $140,300, Houghton homeowners pay roughly $1,780 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that climbs to about $1,969 annually; without one, it drops to approximately $1,602.

Review and challenge if needed

Houghton County homeowners should compare their assessed values against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. If your assessment seems high, file an appeal with the county assessor—many properties are overvalued relative to current market conditions.

Cost of Living in Houghton County

via CostByCounty

Right at Michigan's state average

Houghton County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% matches Michigan's state average precisely, indicating typical affordability for the state overall. The median household income of $56,573 and median rent of $767 reflect a working-class market in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Perfectly aligned with state norms

Houghton's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% exactly matches Michigan's state average, making it a representative example of rental affordability across the state. The median rent of $767 sits modestly below the state average of $873, offsetting slightly lower incomes.

Upper Peninsula moderate affordability

Houghton's $767 rent falls between Gladwin ($689) and Gratiot ($808), offering reasonable middle-ground pricing for the region. The median household income of $56,573 is similarly positioned between lower-earning Gogebic ($49,672) and higher-earning Genesee ($60,673).

16.3% of income dedicated to rent

Renters spend $767 monthly while homeowners pay $752—a notably rare case where ownership costs run slightly below rental costs. Against the $56,573 median household income, both options remain accessible for working households.

Upper Peninsula stability at fair prices

Houghton County delivers representative Michigan affordability in a college-town setting anchored by Michigan Technological University. If you're exploring Upper Peninsula relocation, Houghton balances modest costs with more robust job and educational opportunities than neighboring rural counties.

Income & Jobs in Houghton County

via IncomeByCounty

Houghton County earns below national average

Houghton County's median household income of $56,573 falls about $18,200 short of the national median of $74,755—a 24.3% shortfall. The county ranks in the lower-earnings tier nationally.

Houghton lags Michigan's state income average

At $56,573, Houghton's median household income trails Michigan's state average of $64,304 by nearly $7,700. The per capita income of $31,441 also falls below the state average of $35,451.

Houghton among the lower earners in the region

Houghton's $56,573 median household income ranks below Genesee ($60,673), Gratiot ($61,128), and Hillsdale ($60,869), though slightly above Gladwin ($55,576). The county faces competitive income pressures within its peer group.

Moderate housing costs ease financial strain

Houghton's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable despite lower overall earnings, staying well within the 30% affordability threshold. With a median home value of $140,300, homeownership remains within reach for median-income households.

Prioritize savings despite modest earnings

Houghton residents earning the median $56,573 have over 83% of income available after housing costs, creating room for systematic savings. Starting with small, consistent contributions to emergency funds and retirement accounts builds a foundation for financial security.

Health in Houghton County

via HealthByCounty

Houghton approaches national health parity

Houghton County's life expectancy of 77.6 years sits just 1.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9, a solid regional achievement. Its 15.1% poor or fair health rate stands below the worst performers among these eight counties, suggesting reasonably controlled chronic disease.

Top-tier performer in Michigan

Houghton's 77.6-year life expectancy exceeds Michigan's 76.3-year state average by 1.3 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The 6.3% uninsured rate nearly matches Michigan's 6.4% average, balancing health outcomes with healthcare access.

Strong regional health standing

Houghton's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks second among these eight counties, trailing only Grand Traverse (78.7). Its 70 primary care providers per 100,000 and solid mental health infrastructure support outcomes comparable to larger, wealthier regions.

Balanced provider access supports health

Houghton offers 70 primary care providers and 231 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, above-average supply ensuring routine care access. The 6.3% uninsured rate means most residents can afford to seek preventive and acute care when needed.

Maintain momentum in Houghton

Houghton's strong health outcomes reflect good insurance coverage and provider access; maintaining this advantage requires staying enrolled. Review your coverage annually at healthcare.gov to protect your family's access to Houghton's quality healthcare providers.

Disaster Risk in Houghton County

via RiskByCounty

Houghton ranks among America's safest counties

Houghton County's composite risk score of 24.30 places it in the "Very Low" category, far below both Michigan's state average of 49.56 and the national median. The upper-peninsula location and minimal exposure to earthquakes and hurricanes create remarkable overall safety. Residents here enjoy some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the entire United States.

Michigan's safest inhabited county

Houghton ranks as the lowest-risk county in Michigan with its 24.30 composite score, representing exceptional safety compared to the state average. Only a handful of other upper-peninsula counties approach this level of low risk exposure. Houghton's position makes it one of the most disaster-resilient areas in the Great Lakes region.

Safest county in the upper peninsula

Houghton's 24.30 score is nearly identical to nearby Gogebic County (25.60) and represents the lower-risk tier across the entire upper peninsula. Marquette and Iron counties, also in the upper peninsula, typically report similarly low exposure. This consistency reflects the remote geography and distance from major seismic, hurricane, and tornado zones.

Flooding is the only notable hazard

Houghton's flood risk of 43.00 is its only hazard scoring above 25; all other categories are negligible at the national scale. Tornado risk of 6.20 and earthquake and hurricane risks of 0.00 essentially eliminate concerns in those categories. Heavy precipitation during spring snowmelt and fall storms creates the primary natural hazard exposure.

Basic homeowners coverage suffices

Houghton residents need standard homeowners insurance with winter storm coverage rather than specialized flood or earthquake policies. Maintain roof and gutter health to handle heavy precipitation from lake-effect snow and rain. A sump pump in the basement provides affordable protection against spring snowmelt and seasonal flooding.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.