The Cost of Living Diaries: Muskegon, MI

Get the inside scoop on what it's like to be a local in this breathtaking city in West Michigan.

By Lindsey Hyde on April 17, 2023

Nathan Lambrecht

Welcome to The Cost of Living Diaries. How much does it cost to live in Muskegon, MI? What’s it like to live and work here? Keep reading because we asked a Muskegon resident to tell us all about the cost of living in this beautiful city along the shores of Lake Michigan!

Midwest charm and the best of beach living come together to create beautiful Muskegon, a city flourishing with fun community events, ample outdoor recreation, fabulous foods and much more. To learn more about this area and why it’s a great place to call home, Livability chatted with Tina Harmon, who is from Cincinnati, but has lived in Muskegon for 30 years.

She is board president of Community Awareness and Managing Pathways Inc., an organization that helps those ages 8-17 discover how they want to interact with society.

What has made you want to stay in Muskegon for so many years?
When we first relocated here, my husband ended up getting a very good job with Consumers Energy. We had two little kids … so we decided that this is where we would make our home.

How would you describe Muskegon and its residents?
The city is small, but it’s quaint. Everybody knows everyone. People are very friendly overall. It’s not hard to find your way around. You will find things to do every day of the week, if you want to do something every day of the week. Plus, it’s not overpopulated.

What do you like about living in Muskegon?
The lakes are awesome. The beaches are awesome. The summers are gorgeous. There are always a lot of festivals in the park and Taste of Muskegon and lots of food around. And I really love the water. We actually just built a house on a small lake.

What kind of free or low-cost outdoor recreation is available here?
Lots of trails. There are trails that go from way over in the suburbs down to the inner city – bike trails, walking trails. You lose track of how many trails there are. The parks are gorgeous here. There is a park in every community, and then there are parks on the lake. You have the famous Kruse Park on the lake, and then there’s Pere Marquette for families, and it’s right on Lake Michigan.

What’s your favorite restaurant, and how much would dinner be for two people?
There’s a place called Kazumi Japanese Restaurant that I like to go to. They have sushi and a hibachi grill. I like it the most because they cook the food right in front of you, and they have fun with you catching food in your mouth. It’s a really exciting place for me. Dinner for two people would probably be $20 a person. There’s a breakfast place called Mr. B’s Pancake House. Everything in there is great, from breakfast to coffee. It depends on what you choose – they always have specials – but it’s anywhere from $10-$15 a person.