Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Clare County, MI

Prices around Clare County, MI run 3.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, Michigan). The typical household there earns $49,384 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $986 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $39,440 a year.

Clare County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$49,384$4,115 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$986HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)96.2-3.8% · BEA, Michigan
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population31,218Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Clare 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$986Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,235At 30% of $49,384
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Clare County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$698$8,376$27,92017%
1-Bedroom Apartment$751$9,012$30,04018.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$986$11,832$39,44024%
3-Bedroom Home$1,189$14,268$47,56028.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,611$19,332$64,44039.1%

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

What a typical income covers in Clare County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $49,384 a year ($4,115 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,058/moRent ($986 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,235/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$823/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $49,384 leaves after Michigan taxes

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

$49,384
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,384
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,012After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,334Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,539Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,746 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,848 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,778 / yr

Living in Clare County, MI: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clare County, MI is $49,384 per year (approximately $4,115 per month).

What is the average rent in Clare County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $698 for a studio, $751 for one bedroom, $986 for two, $1,189 for three and $1,611 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 Clare 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 Clare County, MI?

To keep a $986 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $39,440 a year, or $3,287 a month. That is 80% of what the typical household in Clare County, MI earns.

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

On the local median income of $49,384 ($4,115 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,058 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,235 for everything else and $823 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $986 takes 48% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Clare 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.