| Index | Benton Harbor | Michigan | National |
| Cost of living | 80 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 43 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 95 | 100 |
The cost of living in Benton Harbor affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Benton Harbor is 80, which is 20% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Benton Harbor distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 56.7% 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 Benton Harbor can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in Benton Harbor to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 83% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 17% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Benton Harbor 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 Benton Harbor, the median home price is 68.2% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 29.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Benton Harbor boasting a median household income of $32,994, 59.4% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
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 Benton Harbor, is 56.7% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Benton Harbor, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 4.25%.
The cost of living data for Benton Harbor shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $55,531 | $4,628 | $1,296 | $1,666 |
| Renters | $26,467 | $2,206 | $618 | $794 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Michigan | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Michigan | 4.25% | 4.25% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Benton Heights, MI | 4,308 | 79 | 20.7% |
| Hartford, MI | 2,651 | 84 | 15.9% |
| Watervliet, MI | 2,160 | 84 | 15.6% |
| Fair Plain, MI | 7,362 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Coloma, MI | 1,346 | 88 | 12.0% |
| Benton Harbor, MI | 10,059 | 80 | 19.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Paris, KY | 10,056 | 89 | 10.5% |
| Rockcreek, OR | 10,063 | 138 | 37.6% |
| Stonegate, CO | 10,065 | 147 | 47.1% |
| Ellisville, MO | 10,050 | 108 | 8.4% |
| Keansburg, NJ | 10,050 | 114 | 14.1% |
| Benton Harbor, MI | 10,059 | 80 | 19.9% |
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