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

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Highlights
Are people in Alpena older or younger than people in Houghton?
- The Median Age in Alpena is 22.1 years older than in Houghton.

Are housing costs cheaper in Alpena or Houghton?
- Alpena housing costs are 17.4% less expensive than Houghton housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Alpena or Houghton?
- The average commute for residents of Alpena is 3.8 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Houghton.

Things to do in Houghton?
Houghton, Michigan is a great place to live. The small town atmosphere allows for a close-knit community that makes it easy to get to know your neighbors. It has beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. In the winter months, you can enjoy skiing or snowshoeing in the nearby area. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to explore around town. The cost of living is quite affordable so it’s a great option for those looking for an affordable place to call home. Overall, Houghton offers its residents a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for recreation and exploration.

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 .

 Houghton, MIAlpena, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock10,181329,725,481
 Median Income$24,660  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4438.4
 Avg. Home Price$172,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.7  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Houghton    5 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

Houghton,MI is located in the middle of Lake Superior on the Keweenaw Peninsula. It was a boom town with the copper barons in the late 1800's and today it struggles to  More

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Over 12 years ago

For those who are interested in a laid-back community with low cost of living, rich human history, surrounded by impressive natural beauty, Houghton is the place. The  More

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Over 16 years ago

The 49931 zip code map to display Houghton is misleading. It implies that Isle Royale, isolated in the northern reaches of Lake Superior, is the area covered by this  More

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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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