Living in Houghton, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Houghton · Census data 2020–2024
Houghton has 8,474 residents with a median age of 21.7. The median household income is $43,456 (40% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $254,500, the median rent is $978/month.
Houghton at a glance
- Population
- 8,474
- Median age
- 21.7State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $43,456State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $254,500State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $978/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 36.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 68.6%
- Average commute
- 11 min
Is Houghton a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 11 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 40% lower than the Michigan median; home values 10% higher than the state median; unemployment of 10.3%; a poverty rate of 40.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Houghton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Houghton the median home value is $254,500, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $978 per month, which is 47.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,537 a month in housing costs.
Houghton median household income
The median household income in Houghton is $43,456 and the income per person is $26,716. 40.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Houghton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,441
- Owner-occupied
- 36.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 63.1%
- Vacant
- 7.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.13
Houghton demographics
- Population
- 8,474
- Median age
- 21.7
- Under 18
- 9.1%
- 65 and older
- 7.3%
- Households
- 2,251
- Foreign-born
- 15.9%
- Veterans
- 1.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Houghton ›
Education in Houghton
68.6% of adults 25 and older in Houghton have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 47.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Houghton
- Unemployment rate
- 10.3%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 11 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 10.2%
- Drive alone
- 43.4%
- Public transit
- 9.4%
- Walk to work
- 28.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.2%
Houghton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton | 8,474 | $43,456 | $254,500 | $978 |
| Hurontown | 134 | $61,354 | — | — |
| Hancock | 4,574 | $59,519 | $165,600 | $835 |
| Atlantic Mine | 491 | $55,481 | $103,500 | — |
| Dollar Bay | 1,049 | $61,250 | $153,100 | $825 |
| South Range | 482 | $58,542 | $101,100 | $817 |
| Chassell | 899 | $54,148 | $167,600 | — |
| Trimountain | 196 | $44,673 | $104,000 | — |
| Painesdale | 416 | $63,750 | $92,800 | — |
More for people moving to Houghton
Houghton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Houghton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Houghton, MI?
The median household income in Houghton is $43,456, 40% 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?
The median home value in Houghton is $254,500, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Houghton?
The median gross rent in Houghton is $978 per month, about 47.2% of household income.
Is Houghton, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 11 minutes. Minuses: median household income 40% lower than the Michigan median; home values 10% higher than the state median; unemployment of 10.3%; a poverty rate of 40.1%.
What is the median age in Houghton?
The median age in Houghton is 21.7 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Houghton?
The average commute to work in Houghton is 11 minutes; 10.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Houghton?
The unemployment rate in Houghton is 10.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Houghton?
68.6% of adults in Houghton 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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