In Ludington, a typical home is worth $201,100 and typical rent is $902 a month. Compared with all of Mason County, typical household income is 28% lower, the typical home value is 8% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 19 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $266,641 to $302,205.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Ludington is in Mason 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 Mason County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Muskegon Heights, the typical home value is $68,000: 66% less than in Ludington ($201,100).
2
60% of households in Ludington own their home, against 78% in Mason County.
3
The typical household income in Ludington is $46,411,28% less than in Mason County as a whole ($64,748).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Ludington
What homes there are in Ludington, 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
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Kind of home: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Detached house
57%
75%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
2%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
25%
9%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
10%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Ludington, but it weighs less than in Mason County: 57% against 75%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Year built: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Before 1960
53%
33%
36%
26%
1960–1979
19%
23%
26%
24%
1980–1999
14%
24%
22%
25%
2000–2009
6%
13%
10%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
8%
6%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K43%
$200K–$300K28%
$300K–$500K20%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
43%
$200K–$300K
28%
$300K–$500K
20%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50015%
$500–$99959%
$1,000–$1,49920%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,085
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Under $500
15%
$500–$999
59%
$1,000–$1,499
20%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
By rent, most homes in Ludington cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,085): about 78%.
With a mortgage
$1,258 a month
Mason County: $1,380 a month
Without a mortgage
$532 a month
Mason County: $547 a month
Owners with a mortgage
57%
Mason County: 50%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Ludington is $1,258 a month, less than in Mason County ($1,380); without one, $532.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Ludington+62%
Mason County+55%
Michigan+50%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Ludington+36%
Mason County+28%
Michigan+30%
United States+33%
Typical household income
LudingtonNo clear change
Mason County+25%
Michigan+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Typical home value
+62%
+55%
+50%
+53%
Typical rent
+36%
+28%
+30%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+25%
+28%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Ludington rose 62%; in Mason County, it rose 55%.
The typical rent in Ludington rose 36% over the same time; in Mason County, it rose 28%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Ludington and its comparisons
Measure
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.01
2.25
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
64%
73%
74%
69%
Carpool
16%
11%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
2%
3%
Work from home
13%
11%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Ludington are smaller: 2.01 people on average; in Mason County, 2.25.
In Ludington, 16% of workers share a car to get to work; in Mason County, 11%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Ludington?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Ludington, worth $201,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 45% of the typical household income in Ludington, which is $46,411 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $73,924 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Mason County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Ludington. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,039 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,725
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$197,457
Total interest
$284,094
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,396 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,083 a month
Tight
$1,083 to $1,392 a month
Hard
more than $1,392 a month
Your payment · 45%
Compared with the typical household income in Ludington ($46,411 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,338
Property tax
$215
Home insurance
$84
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$89
You need at least $7,039 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
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.
Total monthly payment $1,725; principal and interest $1,338.
The city and its county
Ludington and Mason County
Ludington is in Mason 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).
Ludington
Map of Mason County, Michigan, with Ludington marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Ludington
Mason County
Other cities with a page
Ludington's own numbers
Typical home value
$201,100
Typical monthly rent
$902
Typical yearly household income
$46,411
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
1.28%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Mason County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,085
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+66%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.7%
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 Mason County.
A typical home in Ludington is worth $201,100: 8% below the county and 13% below Michigan. With the typical household income in Ludington ($46,411 a year), a typical home costs 4.3 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.
Ludington4.3 years
Mason3.4 years
Michigan3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Mason County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Mason County rose 117% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Mason County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Mason County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.8% +5.8% 2016
2017: +5.4% +5.4% 2017
2018: +6.2% +6.2% 2018
2019: +5.8% +5.8% 2019
2020: +4.2% +4.2% 2020
2021: +13.4% +13.4% 2021
2022: +16.9% +16.9% 2022
2023: +17.6% +17.6% 2023
2024: +4.8% +4.8% 2024
2025: +1.7% +1.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Mason County, Michigan and the United States
Period
County
Michigan
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.7%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+66%
+52%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+117%
+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
Ludington next to Mason 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
Ludington$201,100
Mason$219,600
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Ludington$902
Mason$896
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Ludington$46,411
Mason$64,748
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734
See the full table
Ludington next to Mason County and Michigan
Measure
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan
U.S.
Typical home value
$201,100 ▼8% below the county
$219,600
$231,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$902
$896
$1,129
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$46,411 ▼28% below the county
$64,748
$72,875
$80,734
Households that own their home
60% ▼19 points below the county
78%
73%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,565 ▲10% above the county
$2,334
$2,904
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.28% ▲0.22 points above the county
1.06%
1.25%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
51% ▲2 points above the county
48%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Mason 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 Ludington
For a typical $201,100 home in Ludington, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Ludington's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,725a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,039
Cash to close
$13,072
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $89
Conventional, 5% down$1,688a month
Down payment
$10,055
Cash to close
$16,088
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $96
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,388a month
Down payment
$40,220
Cash to close
$46,253
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,574a month
Down payment
$30,165
Cash to close
$36,198
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Ludington
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,725
$7,039
$197,458
7.18%
FHA MIP · $89
$13,072
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,688
$10,055
$191,045
7.18%
PMI · $96
$16,088
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,388
$40,220
$160,880
7.18%
None
$46,253
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,574
$30,165
$170,935
8.18%
None
$36,198
Set by the lender
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.
Typical rent in Ludington is $902 a month: about the same as the county. In Ludington, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Mason County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,085 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.87 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Mason County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$774
$14.88
$30,960
1 bedroom
$859
$16.52
$34,360
2 bedrooms
$1,085
$20.87
$43,400
3 bedrooms
$1,430
$27.50
$57,200
4 bedrooms
$1,437
$27.63
$57,480
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 Ludington
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Ludington is in ZIP code 49431.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,110: $25 more than the fair market rent for Mason County ($1,085).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Ludington, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
49431
$790
$880
$1,110
$1,460
$1,470
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
49431 $1,110$1,460
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Ludington 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 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
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 Mason County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Ludington or Mason County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Ludington the same as in the rest of the state.
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).
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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Ludington or Mason County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Ludington and all of Mason 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 Ludington?
The typical home value in Ludington is $201,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Mason County it is $219,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Ludington?
Typical rent in Ludington is $902 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Mason County is $1,085.
What is the FHA loan limit in Ludington?
Ludington uses the FHA limit for all of Mason 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 Ludington?
The typical homeowner in Ludington pays $2,565 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.28% of the home’s value; in Mason County, the rate is 1.06%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Ludington?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Mason County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
