No city income tax in Charlevoix County

Here’s a bit of good news for anyone moving to Charlevoix County: none of its cities — Charlevoix, Boyne City, or East Jordan — levy a local income tax. Most Michigan cities don’t; only about two dozen do, mostly larger or more industrial places like Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. Up here, local government is funded by property taxes instead of a paycheck tax.

So whether you settle in one of the three cities, the village of Boyne Falls, or any of the townships, you’ll file your federal and Michigan income taxes but won’t owe a separate city income tax. When you’re comparing the cost of living against a place that does have one, that’s a real difference — though for most households, property tax rates and home prices will matter a lot more.