CountyScore

Otsego County

Michigan · MI

#20 in Michigan
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Otsego County, Michigan

Otsego exceeds national livability standard

With a composite score of 71.3, Otsego County substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 43rd percentile nationally. This strong showing reflects balanced strengths in tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Solid standing within Michigan

Otsego's 71.3 score exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, placing it in the upper half of the state's counties. The county delivers measurably better livability outcomes than the typical Michigan community.

Highest incomes and excellent tax efficiency

Otsego boasts the strongest income score of 27.3 with median household income at $67,285—notably higher than peer counties. The tax score of 77.2 and lowest effective rate of 0.891% deliver the most tax-efficient profile in this group.

Housing costs rising with income growth

The cost score of 77.8 and median home value of $196,500 reflect higher housing expenses aligned with stronger incomes. Safety, health, schools, water, and risk data remain unavailable for full assessment.

Ideal for professionals seeking balance

Otsego is best suited for skilled workers, young professionals, and mid-career families who value higher incomes alongside low taxes and reasonable housing costs. The combination of economic opportunity and fiscal efficiency makes it the most economically balanced choice in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.2Cost77.8SafetyComing SoonHealth71.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.3Risk81.6WaterComing Soon
🏛77.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.6
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 Otsego County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
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72.1
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Winston County
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72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
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72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
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72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
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72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Otsego County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Otsego County

via TaxByCounty

Otsego among lowest-tax regions in America

Otsego County's effective tax rate of 0.891% is among the lowest in the nation, falling well below the national median of 1.1% and placing it in the bottom 25% nationally. The median tax bill of $1,751 is 65% of the national median of $2,690, despite higher home values.

Michigan's absolute lowest effective tax rate

Otsego County holds the lowest effective property tax rate among Michigan's 83 counties at 0.891%, significantly beating the state average of 1.166%. The median tax of $1,751 remains below the state median of $2,102.

Clear winner among nearby counties

Otsego's 0.891% rate is the lowest in the region, edging out Oscoda (0.938%), Presque Isle (1.022%), and Osceola (1.059%). Compared to higher-taxed neighbors like Ontonagon (1.232%), Otsego offers substantially lower effective rates.

A $196,500 home costs about $1,751 yearly

Otsego's median home value of $196,500 combined with its lowest-in-state rate of 0.891% results in a median tax of $1,751. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay around $1,785 annually.

Contest inflated assessments to keep savings growing

Even in low-tax Otsego, overassessed properties exist and benefit from appeal filings. Verifying your assessed value against recent comparable sales ensures you're truly getting the county's tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Otsego County

via CostByCounty

Otsego balances higher costs with solid income

Otsego County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio outperforms national affordability benchmarks, supported by a median income of $67,285—just 10% below the U.S. average. Higher earnings here offset higher rents, creating genuine affordability for middle-income households.

Strongest incomes in this northern Michigan cluster

Otsego's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio beats Michigan's state average of 16.3%, and at $67,285, its median income substantially exceeds the other seven counties in this comparison. This income advantage translates to more housing choices and financial security.

Higher rents but higher incomes too

Otsego's median rent of $880 ranks second-highest in the region, but its median income of $67,285 is also the region's strongest—enabling residents to afford premium housing. The county offers the best income-to-cost balance for families seeking more expensive homes.

Ownership more costly than renting here

Median monthly owner costs of $971 exceed median gross rent of $880 by $91, consuming roughly 17% of household income for homeowners versus 16% for renters. This gap makes renting relatively more attractive in Otsego despite higher overall price levels.

Otsego for higher earners seeking space

Professionals relocating to northern Michigan with above-average salaries will find Otsego's higher incomes and stronger job market attractive, despite premium rents. If your expected income aligns with the county's $67,285 median, housing affordability remains solid.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Otsego County

via IncomeByCounty

Otsego approaches national income level

Otsego County's median household income of $67,285 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $7,500, placing it solidly above many rural counties and closer to national norms. This performance reflects a more diversified economic base with stronger healthcare, education, and tourism sectors. Households here earn roughly 90% of the national median—the strongest performance in this county cohort.

Otsego ranks above Michigan average

At $67,285, Otsego's median household income exceeds Michigan's state average of $64,304, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Michigan's counties. Per capita income of $36,269 also tops the state average of $35,451, suggesting relatively balanced income distribution and strong earning potential. These metrics indicate a healthier economy than most of its regional neighbors.

Clear economic leader among peers

Otsego's $67,285 income significantly outperforms all comparable counties—exceeding Osceola ($57,050) by $10,235 and nearly doubling Oscoda ($50,581). Only Ottawa County ($87,144) surpasses Otsego regionally, but Otsego demonstrates that northern Michigan communities can achieve above-state-average incomes through economic development. This success reflects strategic investment in healthcare and education employment.

Solid income supports comfortable lifestyle

Otsego's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% sits in the healthy range, and median home values of $196,500 remain reasonable for the income level. The higher income provides genuine breathing room for savings, investments, and unexpected expenses compared to poorer neighboring counties. Households can plan beyond immediate survival and build long-term financial security.

Strong position for retirement and growth

Otsego residents are well-positioned to build substantial retirement savings and investment portfolios—aim to save 15–20% of household income in diversified assets. Maximize employer retirement plans, consider Roth IRAs, and explore brokerage accounts for additional wealth accumulation. The county's above-average income provides genuine opportunity to achieve financial independence within 20–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Otsego County

via HealthByCounty

Strong providers, uneven health outcomes

Otsego County's 75.5-year life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 80.7 years by more than 5 years, despite having 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. The highest poor/fair health rate in the region at 19.1% suggests chronic disease burden outpaces provider availability.

Below state average despite provider density

At 75.5 years, Otsego falls 0.8 years short of Michigan's 76.3-year average, an unusual gap given its exceptional mental health provider ratio of 319 per 100,000. This mismatch suggests behavioral health needs may reflect deeper social determinants of health in the county.

Well-staffed but struggling residents

Otsego has more primary care providers (87 per 100K) than most peers, yet its life expectancy of 75.5 years ranks in the middle—better than Oscoda but below Osceola. The discrepancy hints that access to providers alone doesn't guarantee health outcomes.

Mental health focus reflects community need

Otsego's 319 mental health providers per 100,000 residents far exceed any peer county, suggesting significant behavioral health investment addressing local need. With 6.7% uninsured and strong primary care availability, physical healthcare access appears less constrained than mental health demand.

Mental health coverage opens doors

If you're struggling with depression, anxiety, or substance use, Otsego's robust mental health network is ready to help—but you need coverage to access it. Explore plans at healthcare.gov that include comprehensive behavioral health benefits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Otsego County

via RiskByCounty

Otsego ranks among nation's safest counties

Otsego County's composite risk score of 18.42 earns it a Very Low rating, well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's central Michigan location provides natural protection from major hazard corridors.

Significantly below Michigan state average

At 18.42, Otsego's score is more than one-third lower than Michigan's state average of 49.56, ranking it among the state's safest counties. The rural character and inland location contribute to this protective position.

Safest among central-northern Michigan peers

Otsego (18.42) is safer than neighboring Osceola (23.92) and Oscoda (15.14), ranking it as the safest in its cluster. The county far outperforms Roscommon (56.68) and Ottawa (82.89) to the south, which face substantially higher composite risks.

Wildfire and flood are modest concerns

Wildfire risk (44.97) is Otsego's highest hazard, though still below state average, while flood risk (28.98) and tornado risk (27.86) remain minimal. Earthquake risk (10.05) poses virtually no threat to the county.

Basic insurance and wildfire awareness suffice

Otsego residents should maintain standard homeowner's insurance and keep properties defensible against wildfire with basic clearing and maintenance. Flood insurance is advisable only for properties in mapped flood zones near lakes and streams.

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.