Cost of Living in Linden, MI

Population 4,150 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Linden 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 — 10.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Linden is about 40 miles north of Ann Arbor, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than Ann Arbor's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 52

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

About the Cost of Living in Linden

The median home value in Linden is $232,300 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $683/month, 48% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,434/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.0%, 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, Linden has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$232,300
24% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$326,613
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$683/mo
48% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.3x
Favors renting
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 91.4%
Renter-occupied 8.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$683
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,297/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
30.9 min
14% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.3%
Carpooled
15.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
7.9%

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
$77,434
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,460
Unemployment Rate
10.0%
107% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor Force Participation
57.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.5%
Graduate degree 8.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.7
Male median age 42.4
Female median age 38.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
65.4%
Good air days/yr
178
Max AQI recorded
206
PM2.5 days
158
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,685
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Linden, MI?

Linden has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Linden, MI?

The median gross rent in Linden is $683 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Linden?

The median home value in Linden is $232,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Linden?

The median household income in Linden is $77,434 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Linden, MI?

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

Is Linden, MI affordable?

Yes, Linden is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

Linden at a Glance

Population
4,150
Median Income
$77,434
Home Value
$232,300
Median Rent
$683/mo
Unemployment
10.0%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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