Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Niles, MI

Cost of living in Berrien County, MI

Part of the Niles Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,849/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 153,411 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $878 31%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $467 16%
Groceries $326 11%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $191 7%
State tax $137 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Berrien County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$790
per month
1 bedroom
$878
per month
2 bedroom
$1,152
per month
3 bedroom
$1,488
per month
4 bedroom
$1,527
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Berrien County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$63,152
per year
Individual earnings
$38,606
per year
Per capita
$37,747
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Berrien County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$211,400
Annual property tax
$2,357

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Berrien County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$128
per month · 19.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,292
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Berrien County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Berrien County

State and local tax rates for Michigan.

State income tax
4.3%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Berrien County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.9 min
Drive alone
77.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
10.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Berrien County

What it costs to live in Berrien County each month.

Single person
$2,849
per month
  • Rent $878
  • Energy $191
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $467
  • State tax $137
Couple
$4,192
per month
  • Rent $1,152
  • Energy $229
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $703
  • State tax $224
Family
$6,661
per month
  • Rent $1,488
  • Energy $286
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $703
  • State tax $224

Frequently asked questions about Berrien County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Berrien County?

In Berrien County, MI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $878 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,152 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,488 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Berrien County?

In Berrien County, MI, the average household income is $63,152 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,606 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Berrien County?

The estimated cost of living in Berrien County, MI is approximately $2,849 per month for a single person, $4,192 for a couple, $6,661 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Berrien County?

The combined sales tax rate in Berrien County, MI is 6.00%, which includes the Michigan state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Berrien County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Berrien County, MI would need approximately $2,849 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $63,152 per year ($5,263 per month). Berrien County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Berrien County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Berrien County, MI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Berrien County?

The average home value in Berrien County, MI is $211,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,357, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Berrien County compare to other areas?

You can compare Berrien County, MI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Berrien County is in the Niles, MI metro area.

Other counties in Michigan

Browse the full list of counties in Michigan, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Michigan

Compare Berrien County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources