2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Alpena, MI vs Houghton Lake, MI

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Highlights
Are people in Houghton Lake older or younger than people in Alpena?
- The Median Age in Houghton Lake is 8.4 years older than in Alpena.

Are housing costs cheaper in Houghton Lake or Alpena?
- Houghton Lake housing costs are 15.4% more expensive than Alpena housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Houghton Lake or Alpena?
- The average commute for residents of Houghton Lake is 10.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Alpena.

Things to do in Alpena?
Alpena stands out as Michigan's only natural deep water harbor conveniently situated near Lake Huron's Thunder Bay . With over 10000 inhabiting citizens this area provides tremendous recreational variety from boating expeditions to world class scuba diving dives & almost infinite outdoors fishing very popular among vacationers coming from all over United States .

Things to do in Houghton Lake?
Living in Houghton Lake, MI is a pleasant experience. The area offers natural beauty, with its many lakes and nearby forests providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants in the area, allowing for a variety of activities. The community has a strong sense of pride, with many residents actively participating in local events and organizations. Despite its small population size, there is still plenty to do and see throughout the year. From summertime swimming, fishing and boating on the lake to winter sports such as skiing and snowmobiling, Houghton Lake provides a great place to live no matter what time of year it is.

 Alpena, MIHoughton Lake, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,734329,725,481
 Median Income$40,202  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock52.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$142,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time11.92  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Alpena    5 Reviews

One of the ten best places to visit in Michigan. I was born and raised in Michigan but now live in Seattle. I get back to Michigan frequently because my brother  More

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Over 12 years ago

Alpena is 740 ft above sea leval and gets 72 in. of snow every year. That's a good thing and Alpena is a winter wonderland for me . Clean and crisp with the lake frozen  More

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Alpena is a town for all ages, with plenty to do, more than one person could attend. I think the events are varied and offer something for everyone. The town is  More

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Reviews for Houghton Lake    3 Reviews

This is a rural resort area. You must be able to embrace the rural lifestyle. There's no real shopping opportunities other than Walmart, Kmart, Peebles, Dunhams, Tractor  More

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Over 17 years ago

The quality of life here for most depends on how you look at it. If your looking for a medium to high paying job there realy are none, and there's hardly any jobs that  More

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The climate here is...well..cold... seems like most of the time and one does get cabin fever when March rolls around, if not sooner. Can't wait for summer! If you love  More

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