A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
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 Ypsilanti Michigan National
Cost of living9689100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing8674100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Ypsilanti, MI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Ypsilanti? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Ypsilanti stands at 96, making it 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Ypsilanti 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. Ypsilanti 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.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Ypsilanti?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 9 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Ypsilanti. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 22% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 78% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Ypsilanti Affordable?

Is Ypsilanti affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Ypsilanti, the median home price is 16.1% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Ypsilanti boasting a median household income of $40,028, 27.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ypsilanti?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Ypsilanti, is 13.7% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Ypsilanti, the groceries index is 3.4% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Ypsilanti cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Ypsilanti is 8% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Ypsilanti is 4% lower than the national average
  • Ypsilanti housing is 14% lower than the national average
  • Michigan general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Michigan state income tax is 88% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Ypsilanti

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Compare Ypsilanti, 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$67,614$5,635$1,578$2,029
      Renters$27,386$2,282$639$822
      The affordability of the housing market in Ypsilanti, 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 Ypsilanti homeowners, the median income is $67,614. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,578 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $27,386. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $639 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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti National avg. Difference
      Home Price $155,000.00$184,700.0016.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $872.00$949.008.1%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Ypsilanti 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.
      Wayne, MI16,8948910.7%
      Romulus, MI23,544928.4%
      Carleton, MI2,449928.3%
      Garden City, MI26,565936.8%
      Westland, MI81,713945.9%
      Ypsilanti, MI20,792963.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      South El Monte, CA20,79114545.3%
      Clifton, CO20,783982.4%
      Lebanon, OH20,7811000.2%
      McNair, VA20,77614242.3%
      Mead Valley, CA20,81712121.4%
      Ypsilanti, MI20,792963.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.