Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Oakland County, MI

Prices around Oakland County, MI run 0.3% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $97,760 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,411 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $56,440 a year.

Oakland County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$97,760$8,147 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,411HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)100.3+0.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population1,279,825Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Oakland 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$1,411Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,444At 30% of $97,760
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Oakland County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,009$12,108$40,36012.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,122$13,464$44,88013.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,411$16,932$56,44017.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,724$20,688$68,96021.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,868$22,416$74,72022.9%

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

What a typical income covers in Oakland County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $97,760 a year ($8,147 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,073/moRent ($1,411 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,444/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,629/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $97,760 leaves after Michigan taxes

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

$97,760
$35,000$200,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$97,760
Net 75%
Fed 13%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$73,700After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,142Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,835Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,677 / yr
Michigan state income tax$3,904 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,479 / yr

Living in Oakland County, MI: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Oakland County, MI is $97,760 per year (approximately $8,147 per month).

What is the average rent in Oakland County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,009 for a studio, $1,122 for one bedroom, $1,411 for two, $1,724 for three and $1,868 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 Oakland County, MI expensive to live in?

Prices there run 0.3% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 100.3, 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 Oakland County, MI?

To keep a $1,411 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $56,440 a year, or $4,703 a month. That is 58% of what the typical household in Oakland County, MI earns.

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

On the local median income of $97,760 ($8,147 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,073 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,444 for everything else and $1,629 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,411 takes 35% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Oakland 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.