Beaver Island is NOT expensive. A comfortable room for the night can be had for under $100 even in the summer.  Homes for rent start at $600 per week. Places on Lake Michigan start at about $1,000. Lodging is less expensive than comparable vacation locations in other Northern Michigan communities. Food and fuel is a little higher because of transportation costs. Beaver Island has historically been a great middle-class family vacation destination, and it still is.