A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Midland Michigan National
Cost of living9391100
Goods & Services9796100
Groceries9999100
Health care7992100
Housing8676100
Transportation97100100
Utilities10097100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Midland, MI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Midland 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 Midland is 93, which is 7% lower 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.

The cost of living in Midland is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Midland Affordable?

Is Midland an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Midland is 13.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Midland has a median household income of $93,363, which is 14.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Midland?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Midland, healthcare costs are 20.7% lower than the national average.

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 Midland starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 4.25%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Midland 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Midland is 3% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Midland is 7% lower than the national average
  • Midland housing is 14% 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 Midland

See all the best places to live around Midland

Compare Midland, 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$123,805$10,317$2,889$3,715
      Renters$55,592$4,633$1,297$1,668
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Midland is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Midland has a median income of about $123,805 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,889 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $55,592. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,297 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Midland National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.56$27.6218.3%
      Beauty Salon $51.48$51.110.7%
      Toothpaste $4.25$4.093.8%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.5416.3%
      Movie $10.90$12.8815.4%
      Yoga $17.58$19.6610.6%

      Groceries

      Item Midland National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.61$7.701.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.71$1.662.9%
      Milk $4.87$4.732.9%
      Potatoes $5.31$5.261.0%
      Pizza $11.93$12.766.5%
      Beer $9.61$10.558.9%

      Health Care

      Item Midland National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $99.93$140.0628.7%
      Doctor $95.69$153.8237.8%
      Dentist $103.69$123.1515.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.59$11.731.2%
      Lipitor $19.28$23.6118.3%

      Housing

      Item Midland National avg. Difference
      Home Price $281,515.00$326,622.0013.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,780.07$2,480.2528.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,235.00$1,444.0014.5%

      Transportation

      Item Midland National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.06$3.060.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.56$65.218.7%

      Utilities

      Item Midland National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.60$220.120.7%
      Phone $193.24$195.711.3%
      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.
      Saginaw, MI50,1258020.5%
      Merrill, MI8698217.8%
      Breckenridge, MI1,4728317.1%
      Hemlock, MI1,0818713.0%
      Auburn, MI2,0368811.8%
      Midland, MI43,447936.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      State College, PA43,46712323.1%
      Linden, NJ43,55112120.7%
      Apache Junction, AZ43,334936.6%
      West Babylon, NY43,31914242.2%
      Mankato, MN43,5781000.2%
      Midland, MI43,447936.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.