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Traverse City, MI

Cost of living in Kalkaska County, MI

Part of the Traverse City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,667/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 18,116 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $718 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $449 17%
Groceries $326 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $191 7%
State tax $133 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Kalkaska County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$654
per month
1 bedroom
$718
per month
2 bedroom
$933
per month
3 bedroom
$1,261
per month
4 bedroom
$1,266
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Kalkaska County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$60,365
per year
Individual earnings
$37,543
per year
Per capita
$32,904
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kalkaska County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$174,300
Annual property tax
$1,545

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.9%

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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.7 min
Drive alone
82.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
6.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kalkaska County

What it costs to live in Kalkaska County each month.

Single person
$2,667
per month
  • Rent $718
  • Energy $191
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $449
  • State tax $133
Couple
$3,918
per month
  • Rent $933
  • Energy $229
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $658
  • State tax $214
Family
$6,379
per month
  • Rent $1,261
  • Energy $286
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $658
  • State tax $214

Frequently asked questions about Kalkaska County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kalkaska County?

In Kalkaska County, MI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $718 per month, a two-bedroom averages $933 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,261 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Kalkaska County?

In Kalkaska County, MI, the average household income is $60,365 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,543 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kalkaska County?

The estimated cost of living in Kalkaska County, MI is approximately $2,667 per month for a single person, $3,918 for a couple, $6,379 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kalkaska County?

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

Is Kalkaska County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kalkaska County, MI would need approximately $2,667 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $60,365 per year ($5,030 per month). Kalkaska County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kalkaska County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kalkaska County, MI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kalkaska County?

The average home value in Kalkaska County, MI is $174,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,545, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kalkaska County compare to other areas?

You can compare Kalkaska County, MI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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