Cost to Own
United States › Michigan › Mecosta County › Canadian Lakes Population 2,701 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $732 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Mecosta County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Canadian Lakes, Michigan

A $259,000 home here costs

$2,144

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $92,000 a year.

P&I 66%Tax 10%Insurance 5%Utilities 10%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,412. The real number is $732 higher every month, 52% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Mecosta County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for Canadian Lakes from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 2,701 residents that sample is small. The median home value here carries a much wider margin of error than a big-city figure does, so treat it as indicative rather than exact. The Mecosta County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.

Canadian Lakes median: $258,900
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MI average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $207,200 borrowed $1,412
Property tax0.971% effective rate for Canadian Lakes itself $210
Homeowners insuranceMichigan averages $993/yr (NAIC), or 0.448% of home value $97
Electricity22.99ยข/kWh, Michigan residential average, EIA $142
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $216
Total monthly $2,144

Canadian Lakes against Mecosta County and Michigan

MeasureCanadian LakesMecosta County
Median home value$258,900$169,900
Median property tax$2,513$1,692
Effective tax rate0.971%0.996%
Median gross rent$800$867
Population2,70140,321

The weather behind that power bill

Canadian Lakes sits in Mecosta County, which averages a high of 81.3°F in its hottest month and a low of 12.2°F in its coldest, with 37.92" of precipitation a year and 29% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 404 cooling and 7,621 heating degree days, which is what sets the $142 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Mecosta County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Mecosta County

Full Mecosta County cost breakdown · Every county in Michigan

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Canadian Lakes averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Canadian Lakes every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Canadian Lakes I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Canadian Lakes?

A $259,000 home in Canadian Lakes, Michigan costs approximately $2,144 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,412 principal and interest, $210 property tax, $97 homeowners insurance, $210 utilities and $216 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Canadian Lakes?

Canadian Lakes has an effective property tax rate of 0.971%, based on a median home value of $258,900 and median real estate taxes of $2,513. That is lower than the Mecosta County average of 0.996%.

What is the average home price in Canadian Lakes?

The median owner-occupied home value in Canadian Lakes, Michigan is $258,900, against $169,900 across Mecosta County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Canadian Lakes?

Median gross rent in Canadian Lakes is $800 a month, against $2,144 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Canadian Lakes?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Canadian Lakes, Michigan at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $92,000 a year. That covers the full $2,144 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Canadian Lakes, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Michigan.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology