Alma, MI vs Essexville, MI

Alma, MI and Essexville, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Alma scores 66 while Essexville scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alma is $791/month compared to $707/month in Essexville — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Essexville has cheaper rent, Alma actually has lower median home values ($108,100 vs $121,200).

Median household income in Alma is $50,506 compared to $76,182 in Essexville (-33.7%). Essexville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alma spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Essexville.