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City · 8,474 residents · Houghton County, Michigan

Houghton , Michigan

In Houghton, a typical home is worth $254,500 and typical rent is $978 a month. Compared with all of Houghton County, the typical home value is 59% higher, typical household income is 26% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 35 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $254,500

    59% above the county

    10% above Michigan

    • Houghton
    • County
    • Michigan

  • Typical rent

    $978a month

    16% above the county

    13% below Michigan

    • Houghton
    • County
    • Michigan

  • Typical household income

    $43,456a year

    26% below the county

    40% below Michigan

    • Houghton
    • County
    • Michigan

  • Households that own their home

    37%

    35 points below the county

    36 points below Michigan

    • Houghton
    • County
    • Michigan

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$271,507
7.8% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Houghton is in Houghton County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Houghton County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Houghton apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 37% of households in Houghton own their home, against 72% in Houghton County.

  2. Houghton has the 2nd largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 168 cities in Michigan with more than 5,000 people (74%).

  3. Nearby, in Ishpeming, the typical home value is $111,900: 56% less than in Houghton ($254,500).

  4. The typical home in Houghton is worth $254,500, 59% more than in Houghton County as a whole ($159,900).

  5. Nearby, in Ishpeming, the typical rent is $733: 25% less than in Houghton ($978).

  6. The typical household income in Houghton is $43,456, 26% less than in Houghton County as a whole ($58,899).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Houghton

What homes there are in Houghton, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

No kind of home is the majority in Houghton; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 47%, less than in Houghton County (77%).

Year built

The typical home in Houghton was built in 1977, 17 years after the typical one in Houghton County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,537 a month

Houghton County: $1,211 a month

Without a mortgage

$671 a month

Houghton County: $502 a month

Owners with a mortgage

55%

Houghton County: 50%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Houghton is $1,537 a month, more than in Houghton County ($1,211); without one, $671.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Houghton rose 64% since 2015–2019, more than in Houghton County (47%).

The typical rent in Houghton rose 47% over the same time; in Houghton County, it rose 31%.

Income in Houghton grew faster than housing: it rose 88%, while home values changed +64% and rent +47%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureHoughtonHoughton CountyMichiganUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate5.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.1%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.132.332.422.53
Drive alone 43%64%74%69%
Carpool 6%10%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike 30%12%2%3%
Work from home 10%11%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Houghton has 2.13 people, fewer than in Houghton County (2.33).

In Houghton, 30% of workers walk or bike to work; in Houghton County, 12%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Houghton?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Houghton, worth $254,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 63% of the typical household income in Houghton, which is $43,456 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $97,916 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Houghton County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Houghton. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $8,908 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,285

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$249,890
Total interest
$359,533
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,298 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,014 a month

  • Tight

    $1,014 to $1,304 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,304 a month

    Your payment · 63%

Compared with the typical household income in Houghton ($43,456 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,285
Principal & interest$1,693
Property tax$373
Home insurance$106
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$113

You need at least $8,908 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Houghton and Houghton County

Houghton is in Houghton County, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Houghton's own numbers

Typical home value
$254,500
Typical monthly rent
$978
Typical yearly household income
$43,456
Households that own their home
37%
Effective property tax rate
1.76%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Houghton County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,033
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+77%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Houghton County.

Everything about Houghton County

Buying

Buying a home in Houghton

A typical home in Houghton is worth $254,500: 59% above the county and 10% above Michigan. With the typical household income in Houghton ($43,456 a year), a typical home costs 5.9 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Houghton 5.9 years
  • County 2.7 years
  • Michigan 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Houghton County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Houghton County rose 106% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Houghton County.

Period County Michigan U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.3% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +77% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +106% +97% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Houghton next to Houghton County, Michigan and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Houghton $254,500
  • County $159,900
  • Michigan $231,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Houghton $978
  • County $840
  • Michigan $1,129
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Houghton $43,456
  • County $58,899
  • Michigan $72,875
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Houghton next to Houghton County and Michigan
Measure Houghton Houghton County Michigan U.S.
Typical home value $254,500 $159,900 $231,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $978 $840 $1,129 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $43,456 $58,899 $72,875 $80,734
Households that own their home 37% 72% 73% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,474 $1,858 $2,904 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.76% 1.16% 1.25% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 74% 57% 50% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Houghton County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Houghton

For a typical $254,500 home in Houghton, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Houghton's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,285a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $8,908
    Cash to close
    $16,543
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $113

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,238a month

    Down payment
    $12,725
    Cash to close
    $20,360
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $121

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,859a month

    Down payment
    $50,900
    Cash to close
    $58,535
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,094a month

    Down payment
    $38,175
    Cash to close
    $45,810
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Houghton and for Houghton County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Houghton

1.76%of the home’s value each year

$4,474 a year for the typical owner in Houghton.

  • Houghton 1.76%
  • County 1.16%
  • Michigan 1.25%

What Michigan publishes Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) from school operating tax (Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in Michigan

Flood risk in Houghton County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Houghton County.

FEMA’s maps count no homes in the high-risk zone in Houghton County. That does not mean it cannot flood: check your address.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Houghton

Typical rent in Houghton is $978 a month: 16% above the county. In Houghton, 74% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Houghton County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,033 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.87 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Houghton County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $801 $15.40 $32,040
1 bedroom $806 $15.50 $32,240
2 bedrooms $1,033 $19.87 $41,320
3 bedrooms $1,430 $27.50 $57,200
4 bedrooms $1,727 $33.21 $69,080

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Houghton

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Houghton is in ZIP code 49931.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,230: $197 more than the fair market rent for Houghton County ($1,033).

  • 49931 $1,230$1,700

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Houghton when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Houghton

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Houghton. These are the largest.

  • Arbor Green 920 Dodge St, Houghton 49931 140 low-income homes · For families (906) 482-8867
  • Heritage Manor 401 E Montezuma Ave, Houghton 49931 70 low-income homes · Run by Houghton Housing Commission · Average payment: $607 a month · Average wait: 39 months · Homes at several sites (906) 482-0334
  • Copper Hills Apartments 901 Portage St, Houghton 49931 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2017
  • Pineview Apartments 220 W Sharon Ave, Houghton 49931 11 low-income homes · For people with disabilities (906) 482-3486

See all 13 buildings in Houghton County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Houghton

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Houghton County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Houghton

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Houghton or Houghton County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Houghton the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Michigan

  • MI 10K DPA Loan

    Statewide in Michigan

    Michigan state agency loan of up to $10,000, with no interest and no monthly payments, for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses; it goes with MSHDA's MI Home Loan mortgage and is repaid in certain cases, such as when you pay off the first mortgage, sell or refinance the home, or no longer live in it. Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

    Statewide in Michigan

    Michigan state authority certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, for the life of the loan; you apply with an approved lender before you buy. Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

    Tax credit

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Houghton

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Houghton, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc.

    504 Ludington St, Escanaba · 119 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    906-786-2303-3

  • H.o.m.e. of Mackinac County

    396 N State St, Saint Ignace · 202 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 8 more
    (906) 643-6239

  • Northern Homes Community Development Corporation

    900 Emmet St, Petoskey · 210 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (231) 582-6244

All counseling agencies in Michigan

Help in Spanish near Houghton

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Houghton

HUD’s record names them for Houghton or Houghton County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

4 other authorities have an office in Houghton County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Houghton, with the typical home value.

Everything about Houghton County Housing in Michigan

Neighboring counties

If Houghton County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Houghton.

All guides
A mother holds her laughing daughter on a grey sofa.

Questions

Housing questions about Houghton

Short answers with the numbers for Houghton and all of Houghton County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Houghton?

The typical home value in Houghton is $254,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Houghton County it is $159,900.

How much does it cost to rent in Houghton?

Typical rent in Houghton is $978 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Houghton County is $1,033.

What is the FHA loan limit in Houghton?

Houghton uses the FHA limit for all of Houghton County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Houghton?

The typical homeowner in Houghton pays $4,474 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.76% of the home’s value; in Houghton County, the rate is 1.16%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Houghton?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Houghton County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).