Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Alpena County, MI

Prices around Alpena County, MI run 3.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, Michigan). The typical household there earns $53,950 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $973 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,920 a year.

Alpena County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$53,950$4,496 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)96.2-3.8% · BEA, Michigan
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population28,880Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Alpena County, MI?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,349At 30% of $53,950
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Alpena County, MI? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Alpena County, MI, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Alpena County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$689$8,268$27,56015.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$767$9,204$30,68017.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92021.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,212$14,544$48,48027%
4-Bedroom Home$1,632$19,584$65,28036.3%

Rent in Alpena County, MI, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Alpena County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $53,950 a year ($4,496 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,248/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,349/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$899/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $53,950 leaves after Michigan taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Michigan tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$53,950
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,950
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,487After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,624Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,673Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,294 / yr
Michigan state income tax$2,042 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,127 / yr

Living in Alpena County, MI: common questions

What is the median household income in Alpena County, MI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Alpena County, MI is $53,950 per year (approximately $4,496 per month).

What is the average rent in Alpena County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $689 for a studio, $767 for one bedroom, $973 for two, $1,212 for three and $1,632 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Alpena County, MI expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.8% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Michigan is 96.2, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Alpena County, MI?

To keep a $973 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,920 a year, or $3,243 a month. That is 72% of what the typical household in Alpena County, MI earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Alpena County, MI?

On the local median income of $53,950 ($4,496 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,248 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,349 for everything else and $899 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $973 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Alpena County, MI?

Homes in Michigan paid 23¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $207. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.