Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Washtenaw County, MI

Prices around Washtenaw County, MI run 0.9% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $89,180 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,656 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $66,240 a year.

Washtenaw County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$89,180$7,432 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,656HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)100.9+0.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population369,822Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Washtenaw 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$1,656Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$66,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,230At 30% of $89,180
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Washtenaw County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,365$16,380$54,60018.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,387$16,644$55,48018.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,656$19,872$66,24022.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,986$23,832$79,44026.7%
4-Bedroom Home$2,193$26,316$87,72029.5%

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

What a typical income covers in Washtenaw County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $89,180 a year ($7,432 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,716/moRent ($1,656 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,230/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,486/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $89,180 leaves after Michigan taxes

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

$89,180
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$89,180
Net 76%
Fed 12%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$68,029After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,669Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,616Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,790 / yr
Michigan state income tax$3,539 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,822 / yr

Living in Washtenaw County, MI: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washtenaw County, MI is $89,180 per year (approximately $7,432 per month).

What is the average rent in Washtenaw County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,365 for a studio, $1,387 for one bedroom, $1,656 for two, $1,986 for three and $2,193 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 Washtenaw County, MI expensive to live in?

Prices there run 0.9% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 100.9, 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 Washtenaw County, MI?

To keep a $1,656 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $66,240 a year, or $5,520 a month. That is 74% of what the typical household in Washtenaw County, MI earns.

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

On the local median income of $89,180 ($7,432 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,716 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,230 for everything else and $1,486 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,656 takes 45% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Washtenaw 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.