2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Alpena, MI vs Petoskey, MI

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Petoskey older or younger than people in Alpena?
- The Median Age in Petoskey is 2.1 years younger than in Alpena.

Are housing costs cheaper in Petoskey or Alpena?
- Petoskey housing costs are 142.6% more expensive than Alpena housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Petoskey or Alpena?
- The average commute for residents of Petoskey is 7.2 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 Petoskey?
Petoskey, MI is a small city situated in northwest Lower Michigan and is known for its breathtaking views of the Great Lakes. It is an ideal place to live, offering a peaceful and safe atmosphere combined with plenty of recreational activities. The downtown area has plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes to explore, while there are also numerous parks and outdoor areas nearby offering great opportunities for hiking, biking, camping and fishing. Despite its small size Petoskey provides a vibrant community with many local events going on throughout the year. With its stunning scenery and laidback lifestyle Petoskey offers the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure making it an ideal place to live!

 Alpena, MIPetoskey, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,856329,725,481
 Median Income$40,202  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock41.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$142,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.5%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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Alpena

Reviews for Petoskey    15 Reviews

The people in Petoskey are generally pleasant, friendly, and courteous .... even the teenagers in our experience. Petoskey is certainly a physically attractive area in  More

   |    Reply

Petoskey, between Harbor Springs and Charlevoix, is in a trio of small northern Lower Michigan towns that exceeds the charm and sophistication of typical small towns.   More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

My husband and I have lived in Petoskey for 8 years. We have lived in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Virginia and Ohio and by far, Petoskey is our favorite place to live. We  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Petoskey


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.