Living in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sault Ste. Marie · Census data 2020–2024
Sault Ste. Marie has 13,335 residents with a median age of 34. The median household income is $55,328 (24% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $139,400, the median rent is $804/month.
Sault Ste. Marie at a glance
- Population
- 13,335
- Median age
- 34State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $55,328State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $139,400State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $804/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 60.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Sault Ste. Marie a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Sault Ste. Marie
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sault Ste. Marie the median home value is $139,400, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $804 per month, which is 30.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,064 a month in housing costs.
Sault Ste. Marie median household income
The median household income in Sault Ste. Marie is $55,328 and the income per person is $29,676. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Sault Ste. Marie: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,522
- Owner-occupied
- 60.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.5%
- Vacant
- 10.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.10
Sault Ste. Marie demographics
- Population
- 13,335
- Median age
- 34
- Under 18
- 18.2%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 5,860
- Foreign-born
- 4.7%
- Veterans
- 6.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sault Ste. Marie ›
Education in Sault Ste. Marie
27% of adults 25 and older in Sault Ste. Marie have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 10.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sault Ste. Marie
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 4.5%
- Drive alone
- 73.4%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 6.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.8%
Sault Ste. Marie vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sault Ste. Marie | 13,335 | $55,328 | $139,400 | $804 |
| Brimley | 345 | $65,313 | $146,400 | — |
| Kincheloe | 2,524 | $57,644 | $110,700 | $854 |
| De Tour Village | 212 | $48,750 | $237,500 | — |
| St. Ignace | 2,463 | $64,663 | $132,200 | $607 |
| Mackinac Island | 561 | $95,000 | $733,300 | $1,197 |
More for people moving to Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sault Ste. Marie: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sault Ste. Marie, MI?
The median household income in Sault Ste. Marie is $55,328, 24% 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 Sault Ste. Marie?
The median home value in Sault Ste. Marie is $139,400, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Sault Ste. Marie?
The median gross rent in Sault Ste. Marie is $804 per month, about 30.8% of household income.
Is Sault Ste. Marie, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
What is the median age in Sault Ste. Marie?
The median age in Sault Ste. Marie is 34 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Sault Ste. Marie?
The average commute to work in Sault Ste. Marie is 12 minutes; 4.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sault Ste. Marie?
The unemployment rate in Sault Ste. Marie is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sault Ste. Marie?
27% of adults in Sault Ste. Marie 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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