Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Iron County, MI

Prices around Iron County, MI run 3.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, Michigan). The typical household there earns $55,940 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,068 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $42,720 a year.

Iron County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$55,940$4,662 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,068HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)96.2-3.8% · BEA, Michigan
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population11,667Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Iron 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$1,068Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,399At 30% of $55,940
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Iron County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$756$9,072$30,24016.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$814$9,768$32,56017.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,068$12,816$42,72022.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,281$15,372$51,24027.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,414$16,968$56,56030.3%

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

What a typical income covers in Iron County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $55,940 a year ($4,662 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,331/moRent ($1,068 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,399/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$932/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $55,940 leaves after Michigan taxes

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

$55,940
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,940
Net 80%
Fed 8%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,001After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,750Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,731Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,533 / yr
Michigan state income tax$2,127 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,279 / yr

Living in Iron County, MI: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Iron County, MI is $55,940 per year (approximately $4,662 per month).

What is the average rent in Iron County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $756 for a studio, $814 for one bedroom, $1,068 for two, $1,281 for three and $1,414 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 Iron 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 Iron County, MI?

To keep a $1,068 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $42,720 a year, or $3,560 a month. That is 76% of what the typical household in Iron County, MI earns.

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

On the local median income of $55,940 ($4,662 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,331 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,399 for everything else and $932 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,068 takes 46% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Iron 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.