Cost of Living in Clare County, Michigan
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Clare County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clare County ranks #758 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 24%)
Sourced county brief
Clare County Rent Burden Above Michigan Unweighted County Mean
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Clare County is 29.8%. This value is 0.9 percentage points higher than the Michigan unweighted county mean of 28.9%. Median gross rent is $765 per month, which is $141 lower than the statewide unweighted county mean of $906. Among owner-occupied households, the median monthly owner cost is $712, below the state unweighted county mean of $918. The median home value in the county was estimated at $133,800, while the Michigan unweighted county mean is $197,293. For those renting their homes, the median renter-household income is $29,066. These data points provide a statistical overview of housing costs relative to income for the 2020-2024 five-year period. All calculations are based on official census reporting. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Clare County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.8% of renter household income in Clare County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $765 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $712. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,600 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Michigan unweighted mean of county median rents is $906 per month. Clare County's $765 median is 15.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clare County
Rent Burden
18.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,152
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.3%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Clare County
Median home value is $133,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,068 vs. your max of $1,152.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Clare County, Michigan?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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