With a composite score of 69.7, Montcalm County ranks 40% above the national median of 50.0, solidifying its position among more livable American counties. This strong national showing reflects competitive affordability and tax advantages.
2 / 5
Matching Michigan's county-level average
Montcalm's 69.7 score slightly exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it among the stronger counties in its state. The county holds competitive ground with modest advantages in key livability measures.
3 / 5
Affordability remains the county's calling card
Montcalm shines with a cost score of 79.0, offering median home values of $172,100 and monthly rent of $867. The tax score of 72.0, backed by an effective rate of 1.075%, provides additional financial breathing room.
4 / 5
Income levels and data transparency lag
The median household income of $64,892 produces an income score of only 25.7, indicating limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, education, and environmental data remain incomplete, obscuring a fuller livability assessment.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious families with steady work
Montcalm County attracts families prioritizing low housing costs and manageable taxes over high incomes or career advancement. It's well-suited for established workers, tradespeople, and remote earners seeking affordability.
With a composite score of 69.7, Montcalm County ranks 40% above the national median of 50.0, solidifying its position among more livable American counties. This strong national showing reflects competitive affordability and tax advantages.
Matching Michigan's county-level average
Montcalm's 69.7 score slightly exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it among the stronger counties in its state. The county holds competitive ground with modest advantages in key livability measures.
Affordability remains the county's calling card
Montcalm shines with a cost score of 79.0, offering median home values of $172,100 and monthly rent of $867. The tax score of 72.0, backed by an effective rate of 1.075%, provides additional financial breathing room.
Income levels and data transparency lag
The median household income of $64,892 produces an income score of only 25.7, indicating limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, education, and environmental data remain incomplete, obscuring a fuller livability assessment.
Best for cost-conscious families with steady work
Montcalm County attracts families prioritizing low housing costs and manageable taxes over high incomes or career advancement. It's well-suited for established workers, tradespeople, and remote earners seeking affordability.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Montcalm's effective tax rate of 1.075% sits about 2% below the national median of 1.099%, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. The median annual tax of $1,851 is roughly 31% less than the national median of $2,690, reflecting affordable housing and moderate assessment rates.
Below-average taxes for Michigan
At 1.075%, Montcalm's rate underperforms the Michigan average of 1.166% by about 8%, ranking it in the lower half statewide. This advantage makes Montcalm appealing to homeowners seeking tax relief without moving far from urban centers.
Mid-range among northern cohort
Montcalm falls between Missaukee (0.977%) and Muskegon (1.260%) in the regional tax hierarchy, outperforming Newaygo (1.151%) and Oceana (1.143%). The county offers a balanced tax position among its central Michigan peers.
What $172,100 home costs annually
A Montcalm County resident with a median-valued home pays about $1,851 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related charges factored in, the total reaches approximately $1,977 per year.
Appeal if assessed too high
Montcalm homeowners should verify their assessment matches recent comparable sales in their neighborhood. If you believe your property is overvalued, the county assessor's office accepts appeals during designated windows each year.
Montcalm residents spend 16.0% of income on rent, edging out the national average of 16.3% despite earning $9,863 less than U.S. median households. This advantage suggests Montcalm's housing remains efficiently priced relative to local earning power.
Michigan's most affordable rental market
Montcalm's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Michigan's best, beating the state average of 16.3% and outpacing most peer counties. This leadership position makes Montcalm a standout for renters seeking relief from housing cost pressure.
The region's renter champion
Montcalm's $867 monthly rent exceeds Missaukee ($838) and Montmorency ($811) but delivers Michigan's lowest rent-to-income burden at 16.0%. Combined with moderate ownership costs of $908, Montcalm offers the region's best overall housing value for cost-conscious movers.
Lean housing costs preserve paychecks
At $64,892 median income, Montcalm residents allocate just $867 to rent (16.0%) or $908 to ownership, among the most efficient housing-cost splits in Michigan. This restraint leaves renters and owners with substantial resources for savings, education, and other priorities.
Michigan's value play for relocators
If affordable housing is your priority, Montcalm delivers Michigan's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 16.0%, meaning your paycheck stretches further here than in most other counties. Evaluate whether Montcalm's proven affordability advantage aligns with your family's financial goals and career opportunities.
Montcalm County's median household income of $64,892 falls approximately $9,900 short of the national median of $74,755. This 13% gap reflects slightly lower earning power than the typical American household.
Just above Michigan county average
Montcalm's median household income of $64,892 exceeds Michigan's county average of $64,304 by roughly $600. The county sits near the middle of Michigan's 83 counties in household income rankings.
Mid-range earner in west-central Michigan
Montcalm's $64,892 median sits between Missaukee ($61,868) to the north and Newaygo ($61,931) to the west. Only Monroe County to the southeast and Oakland County further away earn meaningfully more in the broader region.
Affordable housing supports stability
A rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% places Montcalm well within healthy housing affordability, with expenses consuming less than a quarter of typical household income. The median home value of $172,100 remains accessible for households earning the county median.
Housing stability frees money for savings
Because housing costs stay below 16% of income in Montcalm, households can prioritize retirement savings and emergency funds. Even modest monthly investments can compound significantly over time when housing doesn't consume your entire budget.
At 76.0 years, Montcalm County's life expectancy falls 0.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a small but measurable difference. The county's 17.8% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national average of 18%, suggesting health outcomes are roughly in line with the nation.
Shortest life expectancy in state sample
Montcalm's 76.0-year life expectancy ranks below Michigan's 76.3-year state average, placing it among the lower-performing counties in the state. The 7.3% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, meaning more Montcalm residents lack health coverage than is typical statewide.
Better mental health care than rural peers
Montcalm's 299 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ranks among Michigan's highest and well above neighboring rural counties. However, its 31 primary care providers per 100,000 remains below state averages, limiting convenient access to routine checkups.
Insurance gaps affect routine care
At 7.3% uninsured, Montcalm has about 1 in 14 residents without health coverage, increasing barriers to preventive care. The strong mental health provider network partially compensates for limited primary care access, but many residents still face challenges scheduling appointments.
Uninsured? Explore coverage now
Montcalm's above-average uninsured rate means many families are one illness away from financial hardship; visit Healthcare.gov to find plans matching your budget. Michigan's Medicaid program may also cover you if you qualify based on income.
At 56.87, Montcalm County's composite risk score exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects moderate but manageable hazard exposure. The county's risk level is notably higher than the safest Michigan counties but lower than the state's highest-risk areas.
Solidly above Michigan's average risk
Montcalm's score of 56.87 ranks it above the state average of 49.56, placing the county in Michigan's riskier half. However, it falls well short of the state's most hazardous counties, occupying a middle ground in statewide disaster exposure.
Riskier than Missaukee but safer than Muskegon
Montcalm's 56.87 score sits between Missaukee County (11.10) to the north and Muskegon County (70.10) to the west, making it a transitional risk zone in west-central Michigan. Newaygo County (47.07) presents similar exposure levels nearby.
Tornadoes and floods are the primary hazards
Tornado risk of 76.46 and flood risk of 61.64 dominate the county's hazard profile, creating dual exposure to severe weather and water damage. These two hazards account for the bulk of Montcalm's above-average composite score.
Flood and wind coverage are priorities
Montcalm County homeowners should secure standard insurance with tornado/wind riders and evaluate their flood risk carefully—flood insurance is essential for properties in mapped flood zones. Review your home's location relative to flood plains and tornado-prone corridors before finalizing coverage.