2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Traverse City, MI vs Houghton Lake, MI

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Highlights
Are people in Houghton Lake older or younger than people in Traverse City?
- The Median Age in Houghton Lake is 12.0 years older than in Traverse City.

Are housing costs cheaper in Houghton Lake or Traverse City?
- Houghton Lake housing costs are 58.3% less expensive than Traverse City housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Houghton Lake or Traverse City?
- The average commute for residents of Houghton Lake is 7.3 minutes longer than it is for residents of Traverse City.

Things to do in Traverse City?
Traverse City, MI is an independent city situated in Grand Traverse County west-north-west from East Bay Township populated by just over fourteen thousand people. Traverse City produces lots of parks such as Clinch Park which grants visitors the perfect chance to experience nature through different activities like birdwatching or horseback riding all year round! Additionally there are multiple restaurants and shops available within this area offering its citizens with something special when they’re here.

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.

 Traverse City, MIHoughton Lake, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,734329,725,481
 Median Income$64,033  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock52.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$394,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.13  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Traverse City    28 Reviews

Beautiful, clean, surrounded by some of the most beautiful and unpolluted nature in the nation, interesting residents from all over the world, an open-minded liberal  More

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Teri · 

Sorry I moved here homes overpriced, local people are rude. Too many rambo type personalities, pickup trucks and illiteracy Fun for about a week. Restaurants are  More

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Left in '78. Should have left sooner. If you are a snob and think you're better than any one else then maybe you can get a job teaching here. Hated it as a kid and come  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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