Custer, MI vs Village of Clarkston, MI

The cost of living difference between Custer, MI and Village of Clarkston, MI is dramatic. Custer is 40.4% cheaper than Village of Clarkston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Custer has a cost index of 63 while Village of Clarkston sits at 106, 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 Custer is $738/month compared to $1,205/month in Village of Clarkston — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Custer is more affordable at $100,000 median vs $433,300.

Median household income in Custer is $66,875 compared to $94,519 in Village of Clarkston (-29.2%). The higher salaries in Village of Clarkston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Custer spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.3% in Village of Clarkston.