Cost of Living in Owosso, MI

Population 14,658 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

49
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Owosso a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $122,000.

Owosso is about 30 miles northeast of Lansing, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Lansing's $119,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 40
Rent 63

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

About the Cost of Living in Owosso

The median home value in Owosso is $121,500 — 60% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $831/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,702/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, 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, Owosso has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$121,500
60% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$179,003
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$831/mo
37% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
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 66.2%
Renter-occupied 33.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$831
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,445/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
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.6%
Carpooled
10.7%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
5.5%

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
$53,702
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,760
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
9% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 4.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.1
Male median age 38.7
Female median age 37.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,055
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Owosso, MI?

Owosso has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.

What is average rent in Owosso, MI?

The median gross rent in Owosso is $831 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Owosso?

The median home value in Owosso is $121,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Owosso?

The median household income in Owosso is $53,702 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Owosso, MI?

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

Is Owosso, MI affordable?

Yes, Owosso is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.

Owosso at a Glance

Population
14,658
Median Income
$53,702
Home Value
$121,500
Median Rent
$831/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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