Cost of Living in Whitmore Lake, MI

Population 8,083 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Whitmore Lake is a smaller Michigan community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $78,038 and housing costs ($270,000 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 2.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 10 miles north of Ann Arbor, Whitmore Lake falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Ann Arbor's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Whitmore Lake

The median home value in Whitmore Lake is $270,300 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,268/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,038/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, 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, Whitmore Lake has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$270,300
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$349,043
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
4% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,950/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8x
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 70.5%
Renter-occupied 29.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,268
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,882/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
29.1 min
8% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.8%
Carpooled
4.8%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
13.8%

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
$78,038
5% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,920
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
47% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
70.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.4%
Graduate degree 14.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37
Male median age 38
Female median age 36

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
46%
Good air days/yr
218
Max AQI recorded
244
PM2.5 days
121
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
694
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Whitmore Lake, MI?

Whitmore Lake has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Whitmore Lake, MI?

The median gross rent in Whitmore Lake is $1,268 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Whitmore Lake?

The median home value in Whitmore Lake is $270,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Whitmore Lake?

The median household income in Whitmore Lake is $78,038 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Whitmore Lake, MI?

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

Is Whitmore Lake, MI affordable?

Whitmore Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

Whitmore Lake at a Glance

Population
8,083
Median Income
$78,038
Home Value
$270,300
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
Unemployment
2.6%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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