A+
22%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
57%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Benton Harbor Michigan National
Cost of living7889100
Goods & Services8893100
Groceries9899100
Health care8493100
Housing4374100
Transportation9697100
Utilities107101100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Benton Harbor is 12% lower than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Benton Harbor is 22% lower than the national average
  • Benton Harbor housing is 57% lower than the national average
  • Michigan general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Michigan state income tax is 64% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Benton Harbor

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Compare Benton Harbor, MI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$37,656$3,138$879$1,130
      Renters$17,584$1,465$410$528
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Benton Harbor, MI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Benton Harbor homeowners, is $37,656. This would allow for a maximum of $879 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $17,584 which would result in a maximum of $410 to be spent on rental costs.

      Michigan Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Michigan 6% 6%

      Michigan Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Michigan 4.25% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.25$24.2620.6%
      Beauty Salon $26.42$45.5642.0%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.0%
      Shampoo $1.14$1.2811.0%
      Movie $8.35$12.1331.2%
      Bowling $16.07$18.0010.7%

      Groceries

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.62$5.8413.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.38$1.5712.3%
      Milk $4.65$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $4.58$4.937.2%
      Pizza $11.14$12.097.8%
      Beer $9.06$10.4112.9%

      Health Care

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $74.50$125.6840.7%
      Doctor $121.31$135.7810.7%
      Dentist $112.00$113.291.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.34$10.652.9%
      Lipitor $490.47$468.604.7%

      Housing

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      Home Price $59,000.00$184,700.0068.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,416.13$2,346.6939.7%
      Apartment Rent $661.00$949.0030.3%

      Transportation

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $54.56$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Benton Harbor National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $205.85$193.996.1%
      Phone $184.44$192.254.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Benton Heights, MI4,1517722.6%
      Hartford, MI2,5888119.4%
      Watervliet, MI2,0828317.4%
      Fair Plain, MI7,1488514.6%
      Coloma, MI1,3158614.1%
      Benton Harbor, MI9,8067821.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Inwood, NY9,80415049.9%
      Russellville, AL9,8038119.4%
      Coweta, OK9,8038911.4%
      Alcoa, TN9,8098811.8%
      East Rockaway, NY9,81015554.9%
      Benton Harbor, MI9,8067821.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.