Cost of Living in Petoskey, MI

Population 5,851 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

89
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Petoskey is a smaller Michigan community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $71,783 and housing costs ($319,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 155 miles east of Green Bay, Petoskey is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 67% higher than Green Bay's $192,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 105
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Petoskey

The median home value in Petoskey is $319,300 — 5% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $872/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,783/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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, Petoskey has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$319,300
5% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$462,131
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$872/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.5x
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 60.3%
Renter-occupied 39.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$872
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,486/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
17.5 min
35% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.0%
Carpooled
11.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
12.4%
Bicycle
2.9%
Work from home
9.4%

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
$71,783
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$48,658
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
68% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor Force Participation
64.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.1%
Graduate degree 27.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.9
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 44.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,821
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Petoskey, MI?

Petoskey has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.

What is average rent in Petoskey, MI?

The median gross rent in Petoskey is $872 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Petoskey?

The median home value in Petoskey is $319,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Petoskey?

The median household income in Petoskey is $71,783 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Petoskey, MI?

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

Is Petoskey, MI affordable?

Yes, Petoskey is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.

Petoskey at a Glance

Population
5,851
Median Income
$71,783
Home Value
$319,300
Median Rent
$872/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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