CountyScore

Iosco County

Michigan · MI

#26 in Michigan
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Iosco County, Michigan

National Top Performer Despite Lower Incomes

Iosco County scores 72.5 on the composite index, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 79th percentile nationally. This exceptional standing is driven by remarkable affordability and tax advantages that offset lower income levels.

Above State Average Ranking

With a score of 72.5, Iosco ranks above Michigan's average of 68.7, placing it in the upper tier of the state's counties. This strong position reflects the county's particular appeal to budget-conscious residents seeking maximum purchasing power.

Lowest Costs in the Region

Iosco boasts the highest Cost Score (87.1) and the lowest effective tax rate (1.06%) among all eight counties, with median rent at just $659/month and home values at $122,900. These figures create exceptional affordability for retirees and those on fixed or moderate incomes.

Income Growth Significantly Lags

The Income Score of 14.6 is the lowest among these counties, with median household income at $47,777—notably below peer counties. Missing data on health, safety, and education prevents a complete assessment of what drives residents to the area.

Retirees and Frugal Living Priority

Iosco County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and individuals prioritizing ultra-low living costs and minimal tax burden over local employment opportunities. Its exceptional affordability makes it a compelling choice for those with fixed incomes or passive income streams.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.4Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.6Risk62.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Iosco County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Iosco County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Iosco County

via TaxByCounty

Iosco among America's lowest-taxed counties

At 1.06%, Iosco County's effective tax rate places it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties for property taxes. The median property tax of just $1,304 is 52% below the national median of $2,690, making Iosco exceptionally affordable.

Iosco ranks lowest in Michigan

Iosco County has the lowest effective property tax rate in Michigan at 1.06%, well below the state average of 1.17%. Its median tax of $1,304 is 38% lower than Michigan's county average of $2,102.

Iosco tax burden minimal in region

Iosco's 1.06% rate is the lowest among its central and northern Michigan neighbors, significantly undercutting Ionia County (1.17%) and Kalkaska County (0.89% actually ties Iosco's low standing regionally). Iosco residents enjoy some of the state's most favorable tax conditions.

A $122,900 home costs just $1,304 annually

With a median home value of $122,900 and Iosco's 1.06% effective rate, the typical homeowner pays $1,304 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,407, adding $103 in mortgage-related fees.

Even low-tax counties warrant assessment review

Though Iosco residents enjoy low property taxes overall, individual assessments can still be overvalued relative to comparable homes. Reviewing your assessment periodically ensures you're not paying more than your property's actual market value warrants.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iosco County

via CostByCounty

Iosco's low rent masks affordability challenges

At 16.6%, Iosco County's rent-to-income ratio sits just above Michigan's state average of 16.3%, despite having a median rent of only $659—24% below the state median. The challenge is Iosco's median household income of $47,777, which is 36% lower than the national median of $74,755, making the percentage burden steeper than raw rent numbers suggest.

Iosco's low incomes offset low rents

While Iosco County ranks favorably on rent-to-income ratio at 16.6%, its median household income of $47,777 ranks among Michigan's lowest, placing significant downward pressure on overall household financial stability. The county's affordability advantage evaporates when measured by absolute dollars available after housing.

Iosco rents are cheap, but so are incomes

Iosco's $659 median rent is the lowest among its peers, undercutting Ionia ($840), Jackson ($958), and Kalamazoo ($1,049) substantially. However, with a median income 18% below Ionia County ($73,436), Iosco residents have fewer resources for non-housing expenses despite cheaper rent.

Limited income stretches thin despite cheap rent

At $659 monthly rent on a $47,777 annual income, Iosco renters spend roughly $7,908 yearly on housing—16.6% of gross income, but against an already constrained budget. Owner-occupants pay $629 monthly with median home values of $122,900, offering the lowest homeownership costs in the region but requiring stronger savings discipline given lower incomes.

Iosco suits remote workers with low expenses

If you work remotely or telecommute and earn at or above state-average income, Iosco County's $659 rents and $122,900 home values are exceptional bargains for your dollar. However, if you're seeking local employment, the county's median income of $47,777 signals a limited job market—make sure your income will travel with you.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iosco County

via IncomeByCounty

Iosco faces significant income gap

Iosco County's median household income of $47,777 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $27,000—a substantial 36% shortfall. This gap places Iosco among the nation's lower-earning counties.

Iosco is Michigan's income laggard

At $47,777, Iosco's median household income ranks among the lowest in Michigan, falling $16,527 below the state average of $64,304. The county faces persistent economic challenges that depress household earning power compared to peer counties.

Iosco significantly trails all nearby counties

Iosco's $47,777 income lags every neighboring county in the sample, from Ingham ($64,354) to Iron County ($53,614) and Kalkaska ($60,365). The county's economic isolation results in wages substantially below even its most economically challenged neighbors.

Rents strain tight household budgets

Despite a 16.6% rent-to-income ratio that appears manageable, Iosco's low median income of $47,777 means rental households have limited discretionary income for other essentials. Home values of $122,900 remain accessible but stretch already-tight budgets further.

Emergency funds first, then investing

Iosco households should prioritize building 3–6 months of emergency savings before pursuing aggressive investments, given lower income stability. Once emergency reserves are solid, even small regular contributions to retirement accounts compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Iosco County

via HealthByCounty

Iosco significantly behind on life expectancy

Iosco County residents live to just 73.5 years on average—5.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 18.8% poor or fair health rate is 3.8 percentage points higher than the national average, marking serious health challenges across the county.

Lowest life expectancy in the state

Iosco County's 73.5-year life expectancy trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 2.8 years, placing it among the lowest-performing counties statewide. This gap suggests systemic health disparities requiring targeted intervention.

Struggling more than rural peers

Iosco County's life expectancy lags all eight comparison counties, with only Iosco and Iosco at the bottom. The county's 18.8% poor/fair health rate ties with Isabella County as among the worst in the region.

Uninsured and underserved

Iosco County's 6.4% uninsured rate matches Michigan's average, but those without insurance face an additional barrier: only 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, one of the lowest ratios in the region. Mental health access is similarly strained at 217 providers per 100,000.

Coverage is the first step forward

If you're among Iosco County's uninsured, enrolling in coverage is urgent and achievable. Visit healthcare.gov today or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or federal subsidies—and take the first step toward better health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iosco County

via RiskByCounty

Iosco ranks among lowest-risk counties

Iosco County's composite risk score of 37.75 sits well below Michigan's state average of 49.56 and substantially below the national median, earning a very low risk rating. Residents here face notably less disaster exposure than most Americans.

Safest natural hazard exposure in Michigan

Iosco County lands in Michigan's safest tier for natural disasters, with minimal exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The county's very low composite risk makes it one of the state's most stable communities for disaster preparedness.

Iosco's safety stands out regionally

Iosco's 37.75 score is notably lower than nearby Kalkaska (21.28) and significantly safer than most other Michigan counties, reflecting its regional advantage. This favorable profile makes Iosco an outlier for natural disaster resilience in northeastern Michigan.

Wildfire and flood are minor concerns

While Iosco's wildfire risk of 60.72 and flood risk of 52.93 exceed some other county risks, both remain relatively modest in statewide and national context. Tornado risk (36.67) rounds out the county's hazard profile with manageable exposure.

Standard coverage likely sufficient here

Iosco's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides reasonable protection for most residents, though flood insurance remains worth evaluating if your property sits near water. Keep gutters clear and maintain proper drainage to manage the modest flood risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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