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

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Highlights
Are people in Houghton Lake older or younger than people in Petoskey?
- The Median Age in Houghton Lake is 10.5 years older than in Petoskey.

Are housing costs cheaper in Houghton Lake or Petoskey?
- Houghton Lake housing costs are 52.5% less expensive than Petoskey housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Houghton Lake or Petoskey?
- The average commute for residents of Houghton Lake is 3.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Petoskey.

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!

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.

 Petoskey, MIHoughton Lake, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,734329,725,481
 Median Income$60,054  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock52.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$346,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.07  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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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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