Cost of Living in Manistee, MI

Population 6,275 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

52
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Manistee 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.

Located 85 miles east of Green Bay, Manistee is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 25% lower than Green Bay's $192,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 47
Rent 59

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

About the Cost of Living in Manistee

The median home value in Manistee is $144,400 — 53% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $771/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,315/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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, Manistee has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$144,400
53% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$249,044
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$771/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.6x
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 73.5%
Renter-occupied 26.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$771
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,385/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
16.3 min
40% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.7%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
12.6%

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
$59,315
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,628
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
18% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor Force Participation
53.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.5%
Graduate degree 6.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.2
Male median age 44.1
Female median age 48.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
79%
Good air days/yr
161
Max AQI recorded
79
PM2.5 days
230
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,344
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manistee, MI?

Manistee has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.

What is average rent in Manistee, MI?

The median gross rent in Manistee is $771 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manistee?

The median home value in Manistee is $144,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Manistee?

The median household income in Manistee is $59,315 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manistee, MI?

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

Is Manistee, MI affordable?

Yes, Manistee is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.

Manistee at a Glance

Population
6,275
Median Income
$59,315
Home Value
$144,400
Median Rent
$771/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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