A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
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 Grand Haven Michigan National
Cost of living9389100
Goods & Services9093100
Groceries9599100
Health care9493100
Housing9174100
Transportation9597100
Utilities102101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Grand Haven, MI

Knowing the cost of living in Grand Haven allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Grand Haven stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Grand Haven aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Grand Haven residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Grand Haven Affordable?

Is Grand Haven affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Grand Haven, for instance, where the median home price falls 4.8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 20.2% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Grand Haven flaunting a median household income of $54,270, 1.9% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Grand Haven?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Grand Haven, healthcare costs are 6.2% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Grand Haven, the groceries index registers 5.3% lower than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Grand Haven, the housing index is 9.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Grand Haven displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Grand Haven is 4% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Grand Haven is 7% lower than the national average
  • Grand Haven housing is 9% 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 Grand Haven

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Compare Grand Haven, 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$65,759$5,480$1,534$1,973
      Renters$26,753$2,229$624$803
      The affordability of the housing market in Grand Haven, MI as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Grand Haven homeowners, the median income is $65,759. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,534 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $26,753. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $624 for their rent related monthly 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 Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.53$24.261.1%
      Beauty Salon $56.27$45.5623.5%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.40$1.289.1%
      Movie $11.22$12.137.5%
      Bowling $22.17$18.0023.1%

      Groceries

      Item Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.51$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.7%
      Milk $4.84$4.673.6%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.3%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $9.38$10.419.9%

      Health Care

      Item Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $91.40$125.6827.3%
      Doctor $139.14$135.782.5%
      Dentist $120.35$113.296.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.88$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $504.80$468.607.7%

      Housing

      Item Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      Home Price $175,800.00$184,700.004.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,520.64$2,346.697.4%
      Apartment Rent $757.00$949.0020.2%

      Transportation

      Item Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.42$3.461.2%
      Tire Balancing $60.57$59.921.1%

      Utilities

      Item Grand Haven National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $180.47$193.997.0%
      Phone $184.98$192.253.8%
      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.
      Muskegon Heights, MI10,7357722.9%
      Muskegon, MI37,3178118.7%
      Ravenna, MI1,4058514.6%
      Roosevelt Park, MI3,7928812.5%
      Fruitport, MI1,2228911.0%
      Grand Haven, MI10,991937.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Coshocton, OH10,9938218.2%
      St. Clements, MB10,993n/a 
      Progress, PA10,9971000.2%
      Pompton Lakes, NJ10,99812120.7%
      Satellite Beach, FL11,00012020.3%
      Grand Haven, MI10,991937.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.