Dexter, MI vs Sault Ste. Marie, MI

The cost of living difference between Dexter, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, MI is dramatic. Sault Ste. Marie is 72.6% cheaper than Dexter, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dexter has a cost index of 116 while Sault Ste. Marie sits at 67, 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 Dexter is $1,603/month compared to $787/month in Sault Ste. Marie — a 104% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sault Ste. Marie is more affordable at $127,300 median vs $401,800.

Median household income in Dexter is $103,182 compared to $55,031 in Sault Ste. Marie (+87.5%). While Dexter is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dexter spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Sault Ste. Marie.