Cass City, MI vs Saugatuck, MI

The cost of living difference between Cass City, MI and Saugatuck, MI is dramatic. Cass City is 38.8% cheaper than Saugatuck, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cass City has a cost index of 61 while Saugatuck sits at 99, 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 Cass City is $638/month compared to $505/month in Saugatuck — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Saugatuck has cheaper rent, Cass City actually has lower median home values ($102,300 vs $619,400).

Median household income in Cass City is $55,500 compared to $118,309 in Saugatuck (-53.1%). While Saugatuck is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cass City spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, more than the 5.1% in Saugatuck.