Benzonia, MI vs St. James, MI

Benzonia, MI and St. James, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Benzonia scores 87 while St. James scores 83 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 Benzonia is $1,292/month compared to $925/month in St. James — a 40% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. James has cheaper rent, Benzonia actually has lower median home values ($195,800 vs $275,000).

Median household income in Benzonia is $61,161 compared to $82,708 in St. James (-26.1%). St. James offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Benzonia spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in St. James.