| Index | Muskegon | Michigan | National |
| Cost of living | 84 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 53 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 95 | 100 |
The cost of living in Muskegon 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 Muskegon is 84, which is 16% 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, Muskegon distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 46.8% 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 Muskegon can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Is Muskegon an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Muskegon, the median home price is 56.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 24% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Muskegon come in at $53,631, which is 34.1% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Muskegon, healthcare costs are 1.7% 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 Muskegon, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 4.25%.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Muskegon, the transportation index stands at 5.8% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Muskegon are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| 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 | $72,960 | $6,080 | $1,702 | $2,189 |
| Renters | $33,930 | $2,828 | $792 | $1,018 |
| 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. |
| Muskegon Heights, MI | 10,979 | 79 | 20.8% |
| Montague, MI | 2,869 | 89 | 11.1% |
| Roosevelt Park, MI | 3,900 | 90 | 10.1% |
| Lakewood Club, MI | 1,280 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Whitehall, MI | 2,856 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Muskegon, MI | 38,255 | 84 | 16.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Muskogee, OK | 38,202 | 84 | 15.7% |
| Commack, NY | 38,358 | 154 | 53.6% |
| Carpentersville, IL | 38,383 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Cottage Grove, MN | 38,398 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Hilliard, OH | 38,111 | 110 | 9.9% |
| Muskegon, MI | 38,255 | 84 | 16.2% |
Here are the best places to live in Michigan
These are the largest cities in Michigan
Safest Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Michigan