A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
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 Port Huron Michigan National
Cost of living8989100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing6274100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Port Huron, MI

Understanding the cost of living in Port Huron can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Port Huron cost of living index is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Is Port Huron Affordable?

Is Port Huron 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 Port Huron, for instance, where the median home price falls 47.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.2% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Port Huron flaunting a median household income of $41,165, 25.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Port Huron?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Port Huron, the transportation index is 0.5% 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.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Port Huron, healthcare costs are 2.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Port Huron cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Port Huron is equal to the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Port Huron is 11% lower than the national average
  • Port Huron housing is 38% 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 Port Huron

See all the best places to live around Port Huron

Compare Port Huron, 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$58,750$4,896$1,371$1,763
      Renters$27,756$2,313$648$833
      The affordability of the housing market in Port Huron, 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 Port Huron homeowners, the median income is $58,750. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,371 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $27,756. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $648 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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron National avg. Difference
      Home Price $96,900.00$184,700.0047.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $805.00$949.0015.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Port Huron 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.
      Marysville, MI9,695946.4%
      St. Clair, MI5,354982.2%
      Port Huron, MI28,9188910.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ridgecrest, CA28,90511010.3%
      New Iberia, LA28,9658712.7%
      Mehlville, MO28,824937.4%
      Paragould, AR28,8218713.0%
      Bella Vista, AR28,819972.6%
      Port Huron, MI28,9188910.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.