A+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
46%
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 Pontiac Michigan National
Cost of living8689100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing5474100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pontiac, MI

Knowing the cost of living in Pontiac 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 Pontiac stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Pontiac distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 46.4% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Pontiac can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

Is Pontiac Affordable?

Is Pontiac 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 Pontiac, for instance, where the median home price falls 60% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 14.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Pontiac flaunting a median household income of $34,673, 37.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pontiac?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Pontiac, the utilities index registers at 5.6% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Pontiac starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 4.25%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Pontiac 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 Pontiac is 3% lower than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Pontiac is 14% lower than the national average
  • Pontiac housing is 46% 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 Pontiac

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Compare Pontiac, 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$47,043$3,920$1,098$1,411
      Renters$26,744$2,229$624$802
      The affordability of the housing market in Pontiac, 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 Pontiac homeowners, the median income is $47,043. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,098 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $26,744. 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 Pontiac National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.80$24.2630.8%
      Beauty Salon $24.78$45.5645.6%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.13$1.2811.8%
      Movie $12.99$12.137.1%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Pontiac National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.75$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $4.80$4.932.8%
      Pizza $8.99$12.0925.6%
      Beer $9.04$10.4113.2%

      Health Care

      Item Pontiac National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $85.00$125.6832.4%
      Doctor $103.33$135.7823.9%
      Dentist $91.00$113.2919.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.22$10.654.1%
      Lipitor $490.11$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Pontiac National avg. Difference
      Home Price $73,800.00$184,700.0060.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $811.00$949.0014.5%

      Transportation

      Item Pontiac National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.35$3.463.1%
      Tire Balancing $56.00$59.926.5%

      Utilities

      Item Pontiac National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.20$193.9913.0%
      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.
      Center Line, MI8,2128812.0%
      Hazel Park, MI16,4528910.7%
      Warren, MI134,188955.4%
      Madison Heights, MI30,000954.5%
      Oak Park, MI29,446964.2%
      Pontiac, MI59,7148613.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Woodland, CA59,75913332.9%
      Blainville, QC59,647n/a 
      Owensboro, KY59,796927.9%
      Cupertino, CA59,799325225.2%
      West Allis, WI59,861964.4%
      Pontiac, MI59,7148613.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.