Average Cost of an Acre of Land in Michigan (2026)
The average value of farmland in Michigan is about $6,800 per acre based on the latest USDA data, roughly 56% above the national average of $4,350. Michigan land value is lifted by its cropland and, sharply, by waterfront. Inland farm ground in the south and the Thumb is the agricultural core.
Average agricultural land values from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Land Values 2025 Summary (August 2025). Building lots and developed parcels sell for more; always check recent local sales.
Price your own parcel
What affects land prices in Michigan
- Waterfront premium. Lake and river frontage commands far more than comparable inland acreage.
- Southern cropland. The state's best row-crop ground sits in the south and the Thumb.
- Recreational land. Northern Michigan hunting and cabin tracts draw downstate buyers.
- Access and utilities. Year-round road access and power add value, especially up north.
How Michigan compares
At about $6,800 an acre, Michigan sits 56% above the US average of $4,350. Cropland here averages $6,350 an acre and pasture $2,300, against national figures of $5,830 and $1,920. These are working-farmland averages: a buildable lot near a city runs well above them, and raw, remote acreage well below.
Common questions
On average, about $6,800 per acre for farmland in the latest USDA figures. That's the agricultural average; a buildable lot near a city costs more and remote acreage less. Enter a local listing price in the calculator above to price your own parcel.
Yes. Michigan farmland rose 7.8% in the latest USDA report, faster than the national average of 4.3%.
No. The USDA figure is average agricultural land value. Residential and commercial building lots sell well above it. Treat the average as a floor for rural acreage and compare against recent local sales before you buy.
43,560 square feet. Use the square feet to acres tool to convert any lot size, in either direction.
These are planning estimates based on USDA agricultural land values, not an appraisal. Land prices vary widely by county, parcel, access, and use. Confirm with recent local sales or a licensed appraiser before buying or selling.