Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Benzie County, MI

Prices around Benzie County, MI run 6.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $74,834 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,224 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $48,960 a year.

Benzie County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$74,834$6,236 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,224HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)93.4-6.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population18,310Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Benzie 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$1,224Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,871At 30% of $74,834
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Benzie County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$904$10,848$36,16014.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$937$11,244$37,48015%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,224$14,688$48,96019.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,586$19,032$63,44025.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,720$20,640$68,80027.6%

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

What a typical income covers in Benzie County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $74,834 a year ($6,236 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,118/moRent ($1,224 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,871/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,247/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $74,834 leaves after Michigan taxes

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

$74,834
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$74,834
Net 78%
Fed 10%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,546After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,879Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,252Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,633 / yr
Michigan state income tax$2,930 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,725 / yr

Living in Benzie County, MI: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Benzie County, MI is $74,834 per year (approximately $6,236 per month).

What is the average rent in Benzie County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $904 for a studio, $937 for one bedroom, $1,224 for two, $1,586 for three and $1,720 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 Benzie County, MI expensive to live in?

Prices there run 6.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 93.4, 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 Benzie County, MI?

To keep a $1,224 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $48,960 a year, or $4,080 a month. That is 65% of what the typical household in Benzie County, MI earns.

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

On the local median income of $74,834 ($6,236 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,118 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,871 for everything else and $1,247 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,224 takes 39% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Benzie 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.