Livingston County

Michigan · MI

#58 in Michigan
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Livingston County, Michigan

Livingston Outpaces the National Median

Livingston County's composite score of 65.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, delivering solid livability by national standards. The score is driven by the highest median household incomes in this eight-county group and favorable tax treatment.

Slightly Below Michigan's Standard

Livingston County's 65.6 score trails Michigan's state average of 68.7, despite containing some of the strongest earning potential in the state. The shortfall comes from higher housing costs relative to the county's tax and income profile.

Highest Incomes and Strong Tax Environment

Livingston County delivers the highest income score (49.5) and median household income ($101,315) among these eight counties, combined with a tax score of 74.5 and effective rate of 0.99%. This income-tax combination creates powerful financial flexibility.

Housing Costs Outpace Affordability

The cost score of 63.0—the lowest in this group—reflects median home values of $331,100 and rents of $1,236 monthly, creating the steepest housing cost burden. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available.

Best For: High-Income Suburban Families

Livingston County suits affluent professionals and families with six-figure incomes seeking a prosperous, growing suburban community. The county rewards high earners by offering excellent tax efficiency and strong earning potential, offsetting premium housing prices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.5Cost63SafetyComing SoonHealth83.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.5Risk26.5WaterComing Soon
🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠63
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼49.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
83.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
26.5
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

Livingston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Livingston County

via CostByCounty

Livingston County wealth enables premium housing costs

Livingston County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average by 0.9 percentage points despite median rent of $1,236/month—well above the US norm—because its median household income of $101,315 towers over the national $74,755. This prosperous exurban county makes expensive housing proportional through exceptional earning power.

Livingston County Michigan's most affluent renters

At 14.6%, Livingston County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Michigan's best affordability metrics, sitting 1.7 percentage points below the statewide 16.3% average despite the highest median rent ($1,236/month) in this dataset. This county's exceptional incomes make premium housing feel affordable.

Livingston's wealth separates it from regional peers

Livingston County's median income of $101,315 substantially exceeds every peer in this analysis—nearly $10,000 above Leelanau ($91,943) and $25,000+ above Lake County ($49,680)—allowing residents to absorb the region's highest median rent. This Detroit exurb attracts affluent commuters and entrepreneurs.

Owners shoulder higher costs than renters here

Livingston renters pay $1,236/month (14.6% of income), while homeowners spend $1,502/month (17.8% of income), reflecting median home values of $331,100—among Michigan's highest. The homeownership premium suggests this county attracts buyers with substantial down payments and equity.

Livingston County for affluent Detroit exurbanites

Livingston County delivers Michigan's best affordability metrics for those with six-figure incomes seeking exurban living within commuting distance of Southeast Michigan job markets. This is premium-priced housing in a premium-income context—ideal for executives and entrepreneurs, not cost-conscious relocators.

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.

Health in Livingston County

via HealthByCounty

Livingston County among America's healthiest

At 79.7 years, Livingston County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by more than 3 years. Only 12.4% report poor or fair health, placing residents well above national chronic disease averages.

Among Michigan's health leaders

Livingston County's 79.7-year life expectancy ranks among the state's best, nearly 3.5 years above Michigan's 76.3-year average. The 12.4% poor/fair health rate significantly outperforms state trends.

Strong performer across all metrics

Livingston County's 79.7-year life expectancy ranks second only to Leelanau County (80.9 years) among the eight counties analyzed. With 49 primary care providers and 242 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county provides robust healthcare capacity.

Excellent insurance coverage and access

Livingston County's 3.8% uninsured rate is the lowest in this cohort, nearly half the state average of 6.4%. With strong primary and mental health provider capacity, residents enjoy exceptional healthcare access and affordability.

Livingston County leading on coverage

At just 3.8% uninsured, Livingston County sets an example for the state. If you're among the uninsured, contact the Livingston County health department or Healthcare.gov to explore coverage options and join this county's success story.

Disaster Risk in Livingston County

via RiskByCounty

Livingston County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 73.47, Livingston County ranks as relatively low risk but well above Michigan's state average of 49.56. The county's exposure is concentrated in tornadoes and flooding, typical of southeastern Michigan.

Second-highest risk in Michigan

Livingston County's composite risk score of 73.47 ranks it as one of Michigan's most hazard-exposed counties, trailing only Kent County (92.21). The county's proximity to major population centers and Midwest weather patterns drive its elevated risk.

Riskier than most peer counties

Livingston County's risk score of 73.47 exceeds neighboring Lapeer County (66.41) and Lenawee County (69.94), making it among the state's most exposed areas. Only Kent County surpasses its composite risk score.

Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure

Livingston County faces tornado risk of 91.51 and flood risk of 73.98, both among Michigan's highest scores. Earthquake risk of 48.44 adds a secondary threat, making the county vulnerable to multiple hazard types.

Enhanced insurance and mitigation are essential

Livingston County homeowners must secure wind and hail coverage, flood insurance through the NFIP, and consider earthquake coverage for older structures. Storm-resistant roofing, reinforced foundations, and designated safe rooms provide critical protection.

ByCounty Network

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