A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
12%
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 Norton Shores Michigan National
Cost of living9289100
Goods & Services9093100
Groceries9599100
Health care9493100
Housing8874100
Transportation9597100
Utilities102101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Norton Shores, MI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Norton Shores? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Norton Shores stands at 92, making it 8% 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 Norton Shores closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Norton Shores can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Norton Shores Affordable?

Is Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores, the median home price is 18.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Norton Shores come in at $65,727, which is 18.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Norton Shores?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Norton Shores, healthcare costs are 6.2% 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 Norton Shores, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 4.25%.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Norton Shores, the housing index is 11.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Norton Shores 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Norton Shores is 3% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Norton Shores is 8% lower than the national average
  • Norton Shores housing is 12% 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 Norton Shores

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Compare Norton Shores, 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$69,618$5,802$1,624$2,089
      Renters$40,303$3,359$940$1,209
      The affordability of the housing market in Norton Shores, 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 Norton Shores homeowners, the median income is $69,618. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,624 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $40,303. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $940 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 Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.53$24.261.1%
      Beauty Salon $56.27$45.5623.5%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.40$1.289.1%
      Movie $11.22$12.137.5%
      Bowling $22.17$18.0023.1%

      Groceries

      Item Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.51$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.7%
      Milk $4.84$4.673.6%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.3%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $9.38$10.419.9%

      Health Care

      Item Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $91.40$125.6827.3%
      Doctor $139.14$135.782.5%
      Dentist $120.35$113.296.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.88$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $504.80$468.607.7%

      Housing

      Item Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,000.00$184,700.0018.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,520.64$2,346.697.4%
      Apartment Rent $978.00$949.003.1%

      Transportation

      Item Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.42$3.461.2%
      Tire Balancing $60.57$59.921.1%

      Utilities

      Item Norton Shores National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $180.47$193.997.0%
      Phone $184.98$192.253.8%
      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.
      Muskegon Heights, MI10,7357722.9%
      Muskegon, MI37,3178118.7%
      Ravenna, MI1,4058514.6%
      Roosevelt Park, MI3,7928812.5%
      Lakewood Club, MI1,2518812.3%
      Norton Shores, MI24,557928.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rockville Centre, NY24,55217373.0%
      Foothills No. 31, AB24,563n/a 
      Marysville, OH24,569990.6%
      Palm River-Clair Mel, FL24,571945.8%
      Pooler, GA24,5751066.3%
      Norton Shores, MI24,557928.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.