A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
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 Shields Michigan National
Cost of living9589100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing8374100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Shields is 7% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Shields is 5% lower than the national average
  • Shields housing is 17% 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 Shields

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Compare Shields, 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$76,125$6,344$1,776$2,284
      Renters$42,969$3,581$1,003$1,289
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Shields 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. Shields has a median income of about $76,125 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,776 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $42,969. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,003 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 Shields 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 Shields 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 Shields 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 Shields National avg. Difference
      Home Price $139,700.00$184,700.0024.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $951.00$949.000.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Shields 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.
      Robin Glen-Indiantown, MI7108118.5%
      Saginaw, MI48,4078217.8%
      Buena Vista, MI6,4018317.1%
      Bay City, MI32,8928415.8%
      Bridgeport, MI6,2088415.5%
      Shields, MI7,301954.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Devils Lake, ND7,3028614.1%
      Carneys Point, NJ7,302991.3%
      Longboat Key, FL7,29917373.4%
      Paloma Creek South, TX7,29912423.9%
      Northport, NY7,29716968.8%
      Shields, MI7,301954.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.