Decatur, MI vs Gladstone, MI

Decatur, MI and Gladstone, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 66 while Gladstone scores 66 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 Decatur is $779/month compared to $793/month in Gladstone — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decatur has cheaper rent, Gladstone actually has lower median home values ($111,700 vs $121,900).

Median household income in Decatur is $58,281 compared to $57,534 in Gladstone (+1.3%). Decatur offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Gladstone.