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Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Cost of living in Kalamazoo County, MI

Part of the Kalamazoo Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,987/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 261,437 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $992 33%
Federal tax $487 16%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $326 11%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $191 6%
State tax $141 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Kalamazoo County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$828
per month
1 bedroom
$992
per month
2 bedroom
$1,181
per month
3 bedroom
$1,564
per month
4 bedroom
$1,671
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Kalamazoo County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$70,525
per year
Individual earnings
$39,808
per year
Per capita
$39,915
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kalamazoo County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$227,500
Annual property tax
$3,378

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.0%

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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.3 min
Drive alone
77.8%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
11.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kalamazoo County

What it costs to live in Kalamazoo County each month.

Single person
$2,987
per month
  • Rent $992
  • Energy $191
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $487
  • State tax $141
Couple
$4,368
per month
  • Rent $1,181
  • Energy $229
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $824
  • State tax $250
Family
$6,884
per month
  • Rent $1,564
  • Energy $286
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $824
  • State tax $250

Frequently asked questions about Kalamazoo County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kalamazoo County?

In Kalamazoo County, MI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $992 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,181 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,564 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Kalamazoo County?

In Kalamazoo County, MI, the average household income is $70,525 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,808 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kalamazoo County?

The estimated cost of living in Kalamazoo County, MI is approximately $2,987 per month for a single person, $4,368 for a couple, $6,884 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kalamazoo County?

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

Is Kalamazoo County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kalamazoo County, MI would need approximately $2,987 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $70,525 per year ($5,877 per month). Kalamazoo County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kalamazoo County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kalamazoo County, MI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kalamazoo County?

The average home value in Kalamazoo County, MI is $227,500, with average annual property taxes of $3,378, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kalamazoo County compare to other areas?

You can compare Kalamazoo County, MI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kalamazoo County is in the Kalamazoo-Portage, 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 Kalamazoo 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