Carleton, MI vs Ludington, MI

Carleton, MI and Ludington, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Carleton scores 74 while Ludington scores 74 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 Carleton is $871/month compared to $824/month in Ludington — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ludington has cheaper rent, Carleton actually has lower median home values ($177,800 vs $192,800).

Median household income in Carleton is $63,826 compared to $44,471 in Ludington (+43.5%). Carleton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carleton spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Ludington.