Cost of Living in Flat Rock, MI

Population 10,418 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Flat Rock offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $201,000 — costs less than 2.7 times median household income of $73,288, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. At 6.5%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Flat Rock sits roughly 15 miles south of Dearborn — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Dearborn's $206,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 77

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Flat Rock

The median home value in Flat Rock is $201,400 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,006/month, 23% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,288/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 59.1°F and lows of 42.0°F, with about 45" of annual snowfall. Overall, Flat Rock has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$201,400
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$250,521
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,006/mo
23% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 79.7%
Renter-occupied 20.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,006
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,620/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.4 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.4%
Carpooled
11.3%
Walked
1.4%
Work from home
9.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$73,288
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,374
Unemployment Rate
6.5%
34% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.7%
Graduate degree 6.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.3
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 40.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.1°F
Avg Low
42.0°F
Annual Precip
34.3"
Annual Snowfall
45"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323546597080848174624937
Low °F 192129395060646356443425
Precip" 2.232.082.433.263.723.263.513.263.222.532.572.25
Snow" 14.012.56.21.50.00.00.00.00.00.01.98.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
19.2%
Good air days/yr
226
Max AQI recorded
329
PM2.5 days
33
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
1,939
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Flat Rock, MI?

Flat Rock has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Flat Rock, MI?

The median gross rent in Flat Rock is $1,006 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Flat Rock?

The median home value in Flat Rock is $201,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Flat Rock?

The median household income in Flat Rock is $73,288 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Flat Rock, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Flat Rock is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Flat Rock, MI affordable?

Yes, Flat Rock is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Flat Rock?

Flat Rock has average high temperatures of 59.1°F and average lows of 42.0°F. Annual precipitation is 34.3". Average annual snowfall is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Flat Rock at a Glance

Population
10,418
Median Income
$73,288
Home Value
$201,400
Median Rent
$1,006/mo
Unemployment
6.5%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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