countyscore
54.6
County Score
Health 95.8Income & Jobs 95.4Safety 76.4

County Report Card

About Livingston County, Michigan

Prospering Above the Median

Livingston County scores a 54.6 composite, placing it above the national median of 50.0. It is a high-performing enclave that balances elite economic metrics with significant cost pressures.

One of Michigan's Wealthiest

Outperforming the Michigan average of 47.1, Livingston is one of the state's most affluent counties. It serves as a prosperous bridge between the Ann Arbor and Detroit markets.

Economic and Health Elite

Economic and health metrics are elite, with an income score of 95.7 and a health score of 95.8. Median household incomes exceed $101,315, and the county maintains a strong safety score of 76.4.

Extreme Housing Costs

Affordability is the main drawback, with a cost score of just 11.3 and median gross rent at $1,236. Risk factors and water infrastructure also score lower, at 26.5 and 37.1 respectively.

Top Tier for High Earners

This county is ideal for high-earning families and executives who want top-tier health and safety. It appeals to those who can manage higher housing costs to enjoy some of the best economic conditions in the state.

2040608010038.411.876.495.855.495.426.537.153.8Tax38.4Cost11.8Safety76.4Health95.8Schools55.4Income95.4Risk26.5Water37.1Weather53.854.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Livingston County DNA

Foverall

How Livingston County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Livingston County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (95.8/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (11.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
38.4-13.600000000000001
Cost
11.8-36.2
Safety
76.4+21.400000000000006
Health
95.8+45.8
Schools
55.4
Income
95.4+44.400000000000006
Risk
26.5-20.5
Water
37.1-20.9
Weather
53.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Livingston County

Whether buying or refinancing in Livingston County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$356,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,287/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$356,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$51,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $103,039/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Livingston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Livingston County

via TaxByCounty

Livingston's rate stays below state average

Livingston County's 0.987% effective tax rate runs below Michigan's state average of 1.166% but slightly above the national median of roughly 0.95%. The median property tax of $3,269 exceeds the national median of $2,690 due to Livingston's higher median home value of $331,100 compared to the national median of $281,900.

Livingston ranks in the lower-middle tax tier

Among Michigan's 83 counties, Livingston ranks in the lower-middle range for effective tax rate at 0.987%, below the state average. The median tax of $3,269 is the second-highest among these eight counties, reflecting Livingston's elevated home values in the greater Detroit exurban area.

Livingston taxes lighter than Kent, heavier than Lapeer

Livingston's 0.987% rate sits between Lapeer County's 0.954% and Kent County's 1.140%, positioning it as a moderate-tax county near Detroit. However, Livingston homeowners pay the second-highest median tax ($3,269) of these eight counties due to the region's robust property values.

Typical Livingston home costs $3,269 yearly

A property valued at Livingston's median of $331,100 generates an annual property tax of roughly $3,269 under the county's 0.987% rate. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $3,398; without one, it falls to $2,949.

Livingston homeowners should verify recent reassessments

In fast-growing Livingston County, residential properties occasionally get reassessed based on outdated comparable sales or overestimated market conditions. If you received a recent reassessment notice showing a jump in value, request the assessor's documentation and compare it against recent arm's-length sales of similar homes in your township.

Income & Jobs in Livingston County

via IncomeByCounty

Livingston County ranks among America's wealthiest

Livingston County's median household income of $101,315 is 35% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the top 15% of American counties. Proximity to Detroit, growing tech and professional services sectors, and strong suburban employment drive exceptional earnings.

Michigan's most prosperous county surveyed

At $101,315, Livingston County's median household income exceeds Michigan's state average of $64,304 by 58%, the highest margin among all counties examined. The county ranks among Michigan's economic leaders, driven by high-wage suburban development and corporate headquarters.

Clear leader in regional earning power

Livingston County's $101,315 median income significantly outpaces all comparison counties, including Leelanau County ($91,943), Kent County ($80,390), and Lapeer County ($76,228). The county stands as the economic powerhouse of the eight-county region.

Excellent affordability relative to income

Livingston County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all surveyed counties, indicating exceptional housing affordability. The median home value of $331,100, while high in absolute terms, represents only 3.3 times median household income—a favorable ratio for building equity.

Accelerate wealth building and investments

Livingston County's high earners and low housing-cost burden create exceptional capacity for aggressive wealth building through retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and real estate. Consider working with a comprehensive financial planner to optimize tax strategies, diversify investments, and plan for long-term financial independence.

Safety in Livingston County

via CrimeByCounty

National Leader in Public Safety

Livingston County is one of the safest in the nation, boasting a 99.1 safety score. The county’s crime rate of 564.0 per 100K is roughly 75% lower than the national average.

Exceeding State Safety Benchmarks

Livingston ranks higher than the Michigan state average of 97.8 for safety. Its total crime rate of 564.0 is significantly lower than the state average of 1371.8 per 100K.

Safer than Local Neighbors

Livingston is twice as safe as Lenawee County, which has a crime rate of 1309.6. It also maintains a lower rate than nearby Lapeer County, making it a regional safety leader.

Violent Crime is Extremely Low

Violent crime is rare at just 89.0 incidents per 100K, while property crime sits at 475.0. Residents live in an environment where major safety incidents are few and far between.

Staying Safe in Livingston

While nine agencies provide excellent coverage, home security adds another layer of protection. Maintaining an active security system ensures your home stays as safe as the rest of the county.

Weather & Climate in Livingston County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Temperate Profile

Livingston County averages 47.6°F annually, reflecting a typical inland Michigan climate. This average remains well below the national median, signaling a need for robust winter heating infrastructure.

Sitting Above the State Average

The county's 47.6°F average is nearly two degrees warmer than the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. Its inland position prevents some of the cooling effects found in coastal counties.

Drier Than Its Southern Neighbors

With 33.9 inches of annual precipitation, Livingston is slightly drier than neighboring Macomb and Lenawee. Its snowfall and temperature trends closely track those of Lapeer County to the northeast.

Balanced Seasonal Extremes

The county experiences nine days of extreme heat over 90°F during the 70.5°F average July. Winter brings a January average of 22.7°F and a consistent 33.2 inches of annual snowfall.

Insulate for Year-Round Comfort

Homeowners should focus on attic insulation to manage the 48-degree swing between January and July averages. Reliable snow removal is necessary for the steady 33-inch winter accumulation.

Soil Quality in Livingston County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Mollisols of Livingston

Livingston's Mollisols are among the least acidic in the state with a pH of 6.09, nearing the 6.5 national median. These soils are significantly more neutral than the typical Michigan pH of 5.30.

Stable Loam Structures

A 'Loam' texture is created by 60.2% sand, 23.7% silt, and 12.2% clay. This composition offers a stable structure that holds nutrients better than the sandier regions to the west.

High Organic Matter, Moderate Thirst

Organic matter is strong at 8.48%, which is over four times the national average. However, the available water capacity of 0.159 in/in sits below the state average of 0.202, suggesting moderate moisture needs.

Lush Wetlands and Saturated Soils

These soils are 'Very poorly drained' and categorized in hydrologic group B/D, indicating high water tables. This hydrology supports lush natural wetlands but requires drainage management for traditional home gardening.

Feeding Nutrient-Hungry Perennials

In hardiness zone 6a, your rich Mollisols are fantastic for nutrient-hungry perennials and vegetables. Just be mindful of the high water table when choosing your garden's location.

Lawn Care in Livingston County

via LawnByCounty

Solid lawn performance in Livingston

A lawn difficulty score of 68.8 places Livingston County well above the state and national averages for ease of care. This Zone 6a region offers a reliable climate for residents seeking a green, healthy yard.

Predictable growth and rain

Annual precipitation of 33.9 inches provides nearly exactly what the state average requires. With 9 extreme heat days and 2561 growing degree days, the climate is balanced for steady growth without excessive thermal stress.

Managing very poorly drained loam

The soil is a loam with a near-ideal pH of 6.09, but it is classified as very poorly drained. This means you must be careful not to overwater, as standing water can lead to root rot and fungal issues in the 60.2% sand mix.

Occasional dry spells in a wet base

About 9.7% of the county is currently abnormally dry, a minor concern after 18 weeks of drought last year. Use the loam's natural water-holding capacity to your advantage by watering less frequently than neighbors in sandier counties.

Time your seeding for success

Livingston lawns do best when started after the last frost on May 5. Because of the drainage challenges, consider species like Perennial Ryegrass that can handle moist soil conditions better than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Livingston County's county score?
Livingston County, Michigan has a composite county score of 54.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Livingston County rank among counties in Michigan?
Livingston County ranks #19 among all counties in Michigan on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Livingston County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Livingston County is $3,454, with an effective tax rate of 0.97%. This earns Livingston County a tax score of 38.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Livingston County?
The median household income in Livingston County, Michigan is $103,039 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Livingston County earns an income score of 95.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Livingston County, Michigan a good place to live?
Livingston County scores 54.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Livingston County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Livingston County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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