A-
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
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 Farmington Michigan National
Cost of living10689100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing11874100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Farmington, MI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Farmington is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Farmington is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Farmington, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Farmington will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Farmington Affordable?

Is Farmington 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 Farmington, for instance, where the median home price falls 19.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 14.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Farmington flaunting a median household income of $78,875, 42.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Farmington?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Farmington, healthcare costs are 2.2% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The Farmington 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 Farmington is 19% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Farmington is 6% higher than the national average
  • Farmington housing is 18% higher 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 Farmington

See all the best places to live around Farmington

Compare Farmington, MI Cost of Living

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      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$92,329$7,694$2,154$2,770
      Renters$54,519$4,543$1,272$1,636
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Farmington, MI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Farmington homeowners, is $92,329. This would allow for a maximum of $2,154 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $54,519 which would result in a maximum of $1,272 to be spent on rental 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 Farmington 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 Farmington 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 Farmington 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 Farmington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $221,500.00$184,700.0019.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,084.00$949.0014.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Farmington 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.
      River Rouge, MI7,4658019.9%
      Highland Park, MI10,8188218.3%
      Ecorse, MI9,4568316.8%
      Inkster, MI24,3988515.1%
      Pontiac, MI59,7148613.5%
      Farmington, MI10,5201065.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Point, MS10,5177921.4%
      Triangle, VA10,52614039.9%
      Hawkesbury, ON10,526n/a 
      Oregon, WI10,51311615.9%
      Bedford Heights, OH10,5308812.5%
      Farmington, MI10,5201065.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.