Living in Houghton Lake, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Houghton Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Houghton Lake has 5,769 residents with a median age of 54.8. The median household income is $50,305 (31% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $126,200, the median rent is $827/month.
Houghton Lake at a glance
- Population
- 5,769
- Median age
- 54.8State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $50,305State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $126,200State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $827/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 80.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.2%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Houghton Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 46% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.4%.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes; a poverty rate of 19%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Houghton Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Houghton Lake the median home value is $126,200, 62% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $827 per month, which is 28.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,076 a month in housing costs.
Houghton Lake median household income
The median household income in Houghton Lake is $50,305 and the income per person is $31,751. 19% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Houghton Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,648
- Owner-occupied
- 80.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 19.2%
- Vacant
- 39.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.00
39.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Houghton Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Houghton Lake demographics
- Population
- 5,769
- Median age
- 54.8
- Under 18
- 15%
- 65 and older
- 34.4%
- Households
- 2,832
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 10.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Houghton Lake ›
Education in Houghton Lake
15.2% of adults 25 and older in Houghton Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 6.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Houghton Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 3.4%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 13%
- Drive alone
- 67%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.9%
Houghton Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Lake | 5,769 | $50,305 | $126,200 | $827 |
| Prudenville | 1,350 | $33,635 | $163,300 | $856 |
| Roscommon | 1,118 | $54,167 | $93,900 | $659 |
| St. Helen | 2,929 | $44,871 | $95,600 | $741 |
| Harrison | 2,110 | $39,430 | $135,100 | $620 |
| Lake City | 705 | $74,583 | $170,300 | $710 |
| Marion | 581 | $40,833 | $110,900 | $667 |
| McBain | 706 | $47,083 | $141,700 | $298 |
| Grayling | 1,671 | $32,545 | $160,800 | $788 |
More for people moving to Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Houghton Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Houghton Lake, MI?
The median household income in Houghton Lake is $50,305, 31% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Houghton Lake?
The median home value in Houghton Lake is $126,200, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Houghton Lake?
The median gross rent in Houghton Lake is $827 per month, about 28.1% of household income.
Is Houghton Lake, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 46% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.4%. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes; a poverty rate of 19%.
What is the median age in Houghton Lake?
The median age in Houghton Lake is 54.8 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Houghton Lake?
The average commute to work in Houghton Lake is 25 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Houghton Lake?
The unemployment rate in Houghton Lake is 3.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Houghton Lake?
15.2% of adults in Houghton Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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