C-
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
60%
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 Troy Michigan National
Cost of living11889100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing16074100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Troy, MI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Troy? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Troy stands at 118, making it 18% higher 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.

Housing costs significantly influence the Troy cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 59.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Troy?

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 Troy. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 86% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 14% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Troy Affordable?

Wondering if Troy is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Troy, for example, the median home price is 72.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 30.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Troy boasting a median household income of $104,132, which is 88.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Troy?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Troy, the transportation index is 0.5% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Troy, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Troy is 33% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Troy is 18% higher than the national average
  • Troy housing is 60% higher 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 Troy

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Compare Troy, 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$121,405$10,117$2,833$3,643
      Renters$73,002$6,084$1,703$2,190
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Troy, MI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Troy homeowners, is $121,405. This would allow for a maximum of $2,833 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $73,002 which would result in a maximum of $1,703 to be spent on rental 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 Troy 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 Troy 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 Troy 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 Troy National avg. Difference
      Home Price $318,600.00$184,700.0072.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,239.00$949.0030.6%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Troy 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.
      Highland Park, MI10,8188218.3%
      Hamtramck, MI21,7048614.3%
      Pontiac, MI59,7148613.5%
      Center Line, MI8,2128812.0%
      Hazel Park, MI16,4528910.7%
      Troy, MI84,05111818.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Merced, CA84,08111615.9%
      Mission, TX83,7968614.2%
      Santa Fe, NM84,41811212.3%
      Alhambra, CA84,50916766.7%
      Redwood City, CA84,518267166.7%
      Troy, MI84,05111818.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.