Auburn Hills, MI vs Portage, MI

Portage is moderately more affordable than Auburn Hills, with a 10.9% lower cost of living index. Auburn Hills scores 96 compared to 87 for Portage, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Auburn Hills can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn Hills is $1,411/month compared to $1,120/month in Portage — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Portage has cheaper rent, Auburn Hills actually has lower median home values ($233,900 vs $243,400).

Median household income in Auburn Hills is $78,727 compared to $79,529 in Portage (-1%). Portage offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn Hills spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Portage.