Cost of Living in Ishpeming, MI
Population 6,173 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Ishpeming 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 — 8.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 135 miles north of Green Bay, Ishpeming is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Green Bay's $192,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ishpeming
The median home value in Ishpeming is $109,200 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $688/month, 48% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,717/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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, Ishpeming has a cost of living index of 42 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 58% less expensive.
Ishpeming 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 Ishpeming, MI?
Ishpeming has a cost index of 42 (100 = national average). It is 58% below the national average.
What is average rent in Ishpeming, MI?
The median gross rent in Ishpeming is $688 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ishpeming?
The median home value in Ishpeming is $109,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ishpeming?
The median household income in Ishpeming is $52,717 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ishpeming, MI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ishpeming is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.
Is Ishpeming, MI affordable?
Yes, Ishpeming is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 42 — about 58% below the US national average of 100.
Ishpeming at a Glance
- Population
- 6,173
- Median Income
- $52,717
- Home Value
- $109,200
- Median Rent
- $688/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.3%
- 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