Cost of Living in Alma, MI
Population 9,421 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Alma sits on the smaller end of the Michigan city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 45 miles north of Lansing, Alma falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Lansing's $119,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Alma
The median home value in Alma is $108,100 — 65% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $791/month, 40% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,506/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Alma has a cost of living index of 45 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% less expensive.
Alma has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Alma, MI?
Alma has a cost index of 45 (100 = national average). It is 55% below the national average.
What is average rent in Alma, MI?
The median gross rent in Alma is $791 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Alma?
The median home value in Alma is $108,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Alma?
The median household income in Alma is $50,506 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Alma, MI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alma is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.
Is Alma, MI affordable?
Yes, Alma is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 45 — about 55% below the US national average of 100.
Alma at a Glance
- Population
- 9,421
- Median Income
- $50,506
- Home Value
- $108,100
- Median Rent
- $791/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.3%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Michigan Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs