Cost of Living in Lapeer, MI

Population 9,053 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lapeer is a smaller Michigan community of around 9000 residents, where median household incomes of $53,038 and housing costs ($165,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 21% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 35 miles northwest of Sterling Heights, Lapeer falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Sterling Heights' $261,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 54
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Lapeer

The median home value in Lapeer is $165,300 — 46% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $947/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,038/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, below 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, Lapeer has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$165,300
46% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$256,795
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$947/mo
28% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,236/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
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 49.9%
Renter-occupied 50.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$947
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,561/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.5%
Carpooled
14.0%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
3.5%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
6.3%

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
$53,038
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,344
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
28% below avg
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Labor Force Participation
51.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.3%
Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.8
Male median age 36.2
Female median age 41.2

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

80%
4-Year Graduation Rate
21.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
4,901
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lapeer, MI?

Lapeer has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lapeer, MI?

The median gross rent in Lapeer is $947 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lapeer?

The median home value in Lapeer is $165,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lapeer?

The median household income in Lapeer is $53,038 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lapeer, MI?

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

Is Lapeer, MI affordable?

Yes, Lapeer is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

Lapeer at a Glance

Population
9,053
Median Income
$53,038
Home Value
$165,300
Median Rent
$947/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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