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Traverse City, MI

Cost of living in Grand Traverse County, MI

Part of the Traverse City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,073/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 95,757 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,051 34%
Federal tax $509 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $326 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $191 6%
State tax $146 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Grand Traverse County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,045
per month
1 bedroom
$1,051
per month
2 bedroom
$1,252
per month
3 bedroom
$1,544
per month
4 bedroom
$1,660
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Grand Traverse County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$79,486
per year
Individual earnings
$41,203
per year
Per capita
$43,501
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Grand Traverse County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$296,200
Annual property tax
$2,900

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.3%

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 Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
71.3%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
13.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Grand Traverse County

What it costs to live in Grand Traverse County each month.

Single person
$3,073
per month
  • Rent $1,051
  • Energy $191
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $509
  • State tax $146
Couple
$4,618
per month
  • Rent $1,252
  • Energy $229
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $971
  • State tax $282
Family
$7,043
per month
  • Rent $1,544
  • Energy $286
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $971
  • State tax $282

Frequently asked questions about Grand Traverse County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Grand Traverse County?

In Grand Traverse County, MI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,051 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,252 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,544 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Grand Traverse County?

In Grand Traverse County, MI, the average household income is $79,486 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,203 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Grand Traverse County?

The estimated cost of living in Grand Traverse County, MI is approximately $3,073 per month for a single person, $4,618 for a couple, $7,043 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Grand Traverse County?

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

Is Grand Traverse County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Grand Traverse County, MI would need approximately $3,073 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $79,486 per year ($6,624 per month). Grand Traverse County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Grand Traverse County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Grand Traverse County, MI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Grand Traverse County?

The average home value in Grand Traverse County, MI is $296,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,900, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Grand Traverse County compare to other areas?

You can compare Grand Traverse County, MI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Grand Traverse County is in the Traverse City, 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 Grand Traverse 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