Cedar Springs, MI vs New Buffalo, MI

Cedar Springs, MI and New Buffalo, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Cedar Springs scores 83 while New Buffalo scores 85 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 Cedar Springs is $1,096/month compared to $825/month in New Buffalo — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Buffalo has cheaper rent, Cedar Springs actually has lower median home values ($203,400 vs $342,700).

Median household income in Cedar Springs is $56,711 compared to $64,524 in New Buffalo (-12.1%). While New Buffalo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Springs spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in New Buffalo.