Ashley, MI vs New Buffalo, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ashley is 19.5% cheaper than New Buffalo. With a cost index of 68 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Ashley to New Buffalo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashley is $875/month compared to $825/month in New Buffalo — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Buffalo has cheaper rent, Ashley actually has lower median home values ($105,000 vs $342,700).

Median household income in Ashley is $53,750 compared to $64,524 in New Buffalo (-16.7%). The higher salaries in New Buffalo partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashley spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in New Buffalo.