| Index | St. Clair Shores | Michigan | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 86 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 95 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in St. Clair Shores? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in St. Clair Shores stands at 94, making it 6% 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.
In St. Clair Shores, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, 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 St. Clair Shores will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in St. Clair Shores. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 100% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 0% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores is 19.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 0.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. St. Clair Shores has a median household income of $91,979, which is 13.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In St. Clair Shores, the groceries index is 5% 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 St. Clair Shores, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 4.25%.
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.
The cost of living estimates displayed for St. Clair Shores 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.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $103,371 | $8,614 | $2,412 | $3,101 |
| Renters | $64,257 | $5,355 | $1,499 | $1,928 |
| 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. |
| Highland Park, MI | 11,056 | 80 | 20.3% |
| Detroit, MI | 692,044 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Hamtramck, MI | 22,199 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Melvindale, MI | 10,685 | 86 | 14.1% |
| Center Line, MI | 8,398 | 86 | 14.0% |
| St. Clair Shores, MI | 60,856 | 94 | 6.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fountainebleau, FL | 60,828 | 114 | 13.9% |
| Vineland, NJ | 60,891 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Brookline, MA | 60,923 | 219 | 118.7% |
| Corvallis, OR | 60,773 | 129 | 28.8% |
| Porterville, CA | 61,051 | 112 | 11.7% |
| St. Clair Shores, MI | 60,856 | 94 | 6.0% |
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