Montmorency County's composite score of 72.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's more livable counties. This strong national ranking reflects exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden.
2 / 5
Michigan's leading affordability county
Montmorency's 72.0 score tops Michigan's state average of 68.7 and ranks among the state's best performers. Few Michigan counties match its combination of low costs and favorable tax treatment.
3 / 5
Lowest costs and lightest taxes statewide
Montmorency boasts the lowest housing costs of this cohort: median home value of $142,000, median rent of $811, and a cost score of 83.1. An effective tax rate of just 0.922% and tax score of 76.3 are the most favorable in this group.
4 / 5
Income levels significantly lag peers
The county's median household income of $47,803 is the lowest among these eight counties, yielding an income score of just 14.6. Data on safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Haven for retirees and minimal-expense living
Montmorency County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, rural lifestyle seekers, and anyone prioritizing ultra-low housing and tax costs above career earnings. Limited income opportunities make it less suitable for wage earners seeking growth.
Montmorency County's composite score of 72.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's more livable counties. This strong national ranking reflects exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden.
Michigan's leading affordability county
Montmorency's 72.0 score tops Michigan's state average of 68.7 and ranks among the state's best performers. Few Michigan counties match its combination of low costs and favorable tax treatment.
Lowest costs and lightest taxes statewide
Montmorency boasts the lowest housing costs of this cohort: median home value of $142,000, median rent of $811, and a cost score of 83.1. An effective tax rate of just 0.922% and tax score of 76.3 are the most favorable in this group.
Income levels significantly lag peers
The county's median household income of $47,803 is the lowest among these eight counties, yielding an income score of just 14.6. Data on safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality remain unavailable.
Haven for retirees and minimal-expense living
Montmorency County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, rural lifestyle seekers, and anyone prioritizing ultra-low housing and tax costs above career earnings. Limited income opportunities make it less suitable for wage earners seeking growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛76.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Montmorency's effective tax rate of 0.922% ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national median of 1.099%. The median annual property tax of just $1,309 is less than half the national median of $2,690, making Montmorency exceptionally affordable.
Lowest-taxed county in Michigan
Montmorency holds the distinction of Michigan's lowest effective tax rate at 0.922%, significantly undercutting the state average of 1.166%. For Michigan property owners seeking the deepest tax relief, Montmorency tops the list.
Clear winner in regional tax battle
Montmorency's 0.922% rate beats every neighboring county, including Missaukee (0.977%), Montcalm (1.075%), and Oceana (1.143%). This northern Michigan outpost offers the region's most advantageous tax environment by a meaningful margin.
What $142,000 home costs annually
The median Montmorency homeowner pays approximately $1,309 in annual property taxes on a $142,000 property. Even with mortgage-related adjustments, the total remains around $1,403—remarkably low for any U.S. county.
Double-check your assessment
Even in low-tax Montmorency, some homeowners may be overassessed relative to recent market sales. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and can yield savings if your property valuation exceeds fair market value.
With a 20.4% rent-to-income ratio, Montmorency residents spend nearly a quarter more on housing than the national average of 16.3%, despite earning $26,952 less than U.S. median households. This strain reflects economic headwinds that make housing cost a significant household burden here.
Michigan's most pressured rental market
Montmorency's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio stands sharply above Michigan's 16.3% average, making it the state's most affordability-challenged county for renters. This gap signals that local income growth has not kept pace with housing costs, creating financial stress for many households.
Struggling compared to the region
Montmorency's $811 rent is the region's lowest, yet its 20.4% burden far exceeds Missaukee (16.3%), Montcalm (16.0%), and Muskegon (18.1%). The county's $47,803 median income—the lowest in this peer group—explains why even modest rents consume an outsized share of earnings here.
Housing dominates household budgets
Montmorency's $47,803 median income is strained by $811 monthly rent (20.4% of earnings) or $705 ownership costs (17.7%), leaving limited resources for other necessities. The county's lower incomes and cost pressures mean residents here face tougher financial trade-offs than Michigan's average.
Weigh carefully before relocating here
Montmorency offers Michigan's lowest absolute rents, but its 20.4% rent-to-income ratio signals real affordability strain compared to the rest of the state and nation. If you're considering a move here, verify that your incoming wages will significantly exceed the county median to ensure housing remains manageable.
Montmorency County's median household income of $47,803 falls roughly $27,000 below the national median of $74,755. This 36% shortfall is among Michigan's steepest income gaps, reflecting substantial economic challenges in the county.
Lowest-earning county in the group
At $47,803, Montmorency County's median household income trails Michigan's county average of $64,304 by nearly $16,500. The county ranks among the lowest in Michigan's 83 counties by household earnings.
Significantly trails all nearby counties
Montmorency's median income of $47,803 falls well below neighboring Missaukee ($61,868), Montcalm ($64,892), and Newaygo ($61,931) counties. The income gap suggests economic headwinds unique to Montmorency compared to surrounding regions.
Housing strains household budgets
Montmorency's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% exceeds the 30% affordability threshold more than other counties in the group. Combined with the county's lower overall income, this housing cost burden creates financial pressure on many households.
Prioritize financial planning and support
Montmorency households earning the county median face tighter budgets, making professional financial planning especially valuable. Exploring local resources, budgeting tools, and potential assistance programs can help residents build stability and long-term savings.
Montmorency County's 73.6-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average by nearly 3 years, ranking among the lowest in the nation for rural counties. With 18.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county matches national averages but reflects underlying health vulnerabilities.
Michigan's shortest life expectancy
At 73.6 years, Montmorency residents live 2.7 years less than Michigan's state average of 76.3 years—the lowest life expectancy among Michigan counties. The 7.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 6.4%, compounding health challenges by limiting access to preventive and ongoing care.
Paradox: providers available, outcomes lag
Montmorency boasts 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, double most neighboring counties, yet still experiences the worst health outcomes in the region. This gap suggests barriers beyond provider availability—possibly poverty, chronic disease burden, or transportation challenges—are limiting health outcomes.
High uninsured rate masks deeper issues
Montmorency's 7.7% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 13 residents lack health coverage, but the county's low life expectancy suggests broader determinants of health need attention. Despite adequate primary care providers on paper, residents may struggle with affordability, transportation, or chronic disease management.
Health coverage is your first step
If you're uninsured in Montmorency, getting covered through Healthcare.gov or Michigan Medicaid is critical to accessing the providers available in your county. Coverage opens doors to preventive screenings and chronic disease management that can add years to your life.
Montmorency County's composite risk score of 15.87 places it in the "Very Low" category, representing minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to the national average. The county faces roughly one-sixth the typical disaster risk of the average U.S. county.
Second-safest county in Michigan
Only Missaukee County (11.10) ranks lower in disaster risk than Montmorency's 15.87, making it one of Michigan's two safest communities. This score is 68% below the state average of 49.56, reflecting exceptionally low hazard exposure across the region.
Safer than most surrounding areas
Montmorency's 15.87 score ranks second-lowest in the state and is comparable only to Missaukee County (11.10) nearby; surrounding counties like Montcalm (56.87) and Muskegon (70.10) face substantially higher risks. The county occupies a rare low-risk pocket in north-central Michigan.
Wildfire is the notable concern
Wildfire risk of 60.37 is Montmorency's highest hazard score, though it remains below state and national averages for wildfire exposure. Tornado risk of 20.99 and flood risk of 38.77 are both relatively low, while earthquake risk is minimal at 6.30.
Basic homeowners insurance suffices
Montmorency County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance with routine maintenance provides adequate protection for most residents. Those living in forested areas should ensure wildfire coverage is included and maintain defensible space around structures as a precaution.