Caledonia, MI vs Port Austin, MI

The cost of living difference between Caledonia, MI and Port Austin, MI is dramatic. Port Austin is 37.9% cheaper than Caledonia, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Caledonia has a cost index of 92 while Port Austin sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Caledonia is $1,057/month compared to $676/month in Port Austin — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Austin is more affordable at $162,100 median vs $325,100.

Median household income in Caledonia is $114,167 compared to $46,000 in Port Austin (+148.2%). While Caledonia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Caledonia spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Port Austin.