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What is Michigan's most expensive county?

"Making Ends Meet in Michigan," a new report by the Michigan League of Public Policy, estimates the minimum income needed in each county for a family or individual to pay the bills without public or private assistance.

This slideshow ranks the Michigan's 30-most populated counties by the minimum income needed for a family of four with two working parents and two preschoolers. It begins with the most-expensive of the 30 counties and ends with the least expensive.

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Online calculator for all 83 counties

The report also calculated the annual "basic needs income leve" for each of three other scenarios: Single, childless adult; single parent, and two-parent family with a stay-at-home parent. Click here for an online calculator that breaks the budget for each scenario for of the 83 counties.

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Basis for the calculations

In developing its numbers, the League says it used:

Housing -- Fair Market Rent (the 40 th percentile of rents in each county) provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);

Food expenses -- U.S. Department of Agriculture's Low-Cost Food Plan;

Child care -- 2015 Cost of Care Report from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation;

Health care -- Federal healthcare marketplace exchange;

Other -- costs for clothing, household necessities, personal care and telephone come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and may vary depending on the family's circumstances.

Taxes are based on income and family size. For additional information, including data appendices and more details on how each of these expenses was calculated, go to www.mlpp.org/resources/making-ends-meet-in-michigan.

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1. Washtenaw County: $67,014

Basic needs income is $26,998 for a single person living alone; $58,021 for a single parent, $33,864 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $67,014 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $1,019;

Child care -- $1,530;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $423;

Taxes: $745;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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2. Oakland County: $66,325

Basic needs income is $24,076 for a single person living alone; $56,674 for a single parent, $33,195 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $66,325 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $863;

Child care -- $1,544;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $523;

Taxes: $729;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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3. Macomb County: $63,042

Basic needs income is $24,027 for a single person living alone; $53,424 for a single parent, $31,030 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $63,042 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $862;

Child care -- $1,376;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $491;

Taxes: $655;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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4. Livingston County: $61,860

Basic needs income is $23,452 for a single person living alone; $52,833 for a single parent, $31,010 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $52,833 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $864;

Child care -- $1,410;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $384;

Taxes: $629;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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5. Wayne County: $61,597

Basic needs income is $24,027 for a single person living alone; $51,963 for a single parent, $33,061 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $61,597 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $863;

Child care -- $1,298;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $481;

Taxes: $623;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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6. Lapeer County: $59,676

Basic needs income is $24,273 for a single person living alone; $49,813 for a single parent, $33,917 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $59,676 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $863;

Child care -- $1,156;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $506;

Taxes: $580;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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7. Ingham County: $59,233

Basic needs income is $24,208 for a single person living alone; $49,977 for a single parent, $31,591 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $59,233 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $848;

Child care -- $1,246;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $404;

Taxes: $757029;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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8. Kalamazoo County: $58,215

Basic needs income is $23,173 for a single person living alone; $48,614 for a single parent, $31,311 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $58,215 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $769;

Child care -- $1,216;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $451;

Taxes: $547;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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9. St. Clair: $58,019

Basic needs income is $23,255 for a single person living alone; $49,172 for a single parent, $30,388 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $58,018 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $863;

Child care -- $1,544;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $325;

Taxes: $543;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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10. Eaton County: $57,837

Basic needs income is $22,255 for a single person living alone; $49,172 for a single parent, $30,388 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $58,018 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $848;

Child care -- $1,132;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $433;

Taxes: $538;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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11. Monroe County: $57,428

Basic needs income is $22,714 for a single person living alone; $50,021 for a single parent, $30,936 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $57,428 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $808;

Child care -- $1,186;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $394;

Taxes: $530;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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12. Clinton County: $57,280

Basic needs income is $24,240 for a single person living alone; $47,974 for a single parent, $31,725 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $57,280 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $848;

Child care -- $1,136;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $395;

Taxes: $526;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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13. Kent County: $57,246

Basic needs income is $23,436 for a single person living alone; $47,662 for a single parent, $31,377 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $57,247 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $776;

Child care -- $1,160;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $441;

Taxes: $525;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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14. Van Buren County: $56,147

Basic needs income is $23,009 for a single person living alone; $46,754 for a single parent, $32,487 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $56,147 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $769;

Child care -- $1,132;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $409;

Taxes: $501;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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15. Grand Traverse County: $56,114

For a single person, the amount is $23,338.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $878;

Child care -- $1,128;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $302;

Taxes: $500;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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16. Midland County: $55,973

Basic needs income is $22,484 for a single person living alone; $46,631 for a single parent, $29,934 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $55,973 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $778;

Child care -- $1,160;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $360;

Taxes: $498;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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17. Genesee County: $55,864

Basic needs income is $21,794 for a single person living alone; $46,563 for a single parent, $29,841 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $55,864 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $738;

Child care -- $1,162;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $390;

Taxes: $497;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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18. Ottawa County: $54,393

Basic needs income is $23,026, for a single person living alone; $45,501 for a single parent, $28,317 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $54,393 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $749;

Child care -- $1,140;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $293;

Taxes: $483;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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19. Calhoun County: $54,393

Basic needs income is $22,517, for a single person living alone; $44,833 for a single parent, $30,562 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $54,393 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $718;

Child care -- $1,036;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $428;

Taxes: $483;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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20. Marquette County: $54,284

Basic needs income is $21,335 for a single person living alone; $45,310 for a single parent, $28,210 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $54,284 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $722;

Child care -- $1,142;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $310;

Taxes: $482;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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21. Isabella County: $53,480

Basic needs income is $22,205 for a single person living alone; $44,343 for a single parent, $28,610 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $53,480 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

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Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $702;

Child care -- $1,076;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $337;

Taxes: $473;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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22. Saginaw County: $53,453

Basic needs income is $21,286 for a single person living alone; $44,457 for a single parent, $27,675 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $53,453 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $709

Child care -- $1,076;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $290;

Taxes: $473;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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23. Bay County: $53,112

Basic needs income is $20,695 for a single person living alone; $44,125 for a single parent, $27,314 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $53,112 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $702;

Child care -- $1,076;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $290;

Taxes: $473;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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24. Muskegon County: $52,785

Basic needs income is $22,238 for a single person living alone; $43,362 for a single parent, $30,736 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $52,785 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $760;

Child care -- $918;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $386;

Taxes: $467;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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25. Allegan County: $52,540

Basic needs income is $22,254 for a single person living alone; $43,594 for a single parent, $28,183 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $52,540 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers.

Housing -- $729;

Child care -- $1,030;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $287;

Taxes: $464;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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26. Berrien County: $52,118

Basic needs income is $20,859 for a single person living alone; $43,171 for a single parent, $27,675 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $52,118 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $703;

Child care -- $1,030;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $282;

Taxes: $460;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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27. Ionia County: $51,886

Basic needs income is $20,744 for a single person living alone; $42,967 for a single parent, $27,461 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $51,886 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $702;

Child care -- $1,076;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $337;

Taxes: $473;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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28. Jackson County: $51,805

Basic needs income is $21,827 for a single person living alone; $42,953 for a single parent, $28,210 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $51,805 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $752;

Child care -- $978;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $262;

Taxes: $457;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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29. Shiawassee County: $51,764

Basic needs income is $20,777 for a single person living alone; $42,722 for a single parent, $27,821 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $51,764 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $687;

Child care -- $1,002;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $300;

Taxes: $457;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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30. Lenawee County: $51,220

Basic needs income is $21,335 for a single person living alone; $42,409 for a single parent, $27,274 for a two-parent household with a stay-at-home parent and $51,220 for family with two parents in the workforce. All scenarios with children assume the household has two preschoolers.

Breakdown of monthly costs for two working parents with two preschoolers:

Housing -- $713;

Child care -- $990;

Food: $717;

Transportation: $624;

Health care: $246;

Taxes: $451;

Miscellaneous: $527.

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The 5 counties with the lowest cost of living

The top 5 counties in this slideshow are also the top 5 among all 83 counties in cost of living, based on estimates by the Michigan League of Public Policy. Here are the 5 Michigan counties with the lowest cost of living:

Missaukee County, southeast of Traverse City;

Mackinac County, in the Upper Peninsula and which includes St. Ignace;

Hillsdale County, which is south of Jackson;

Oscoda County, in the northeast Lower Peninsula;

Lake County, in the northwest Lower Peninsula and which includes Baldwin.