East Tawas, MI vs Stephenson, MI

East Tawas, MI and Stephenson, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. East Tawas scores 60 while Stephenson scores 61 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 East Tawas is $569/month compared to $657/month in Stephenson — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Tawas has cheaper rent, Stephenson actually has lower median home values ($97,700 vs $114,400).

Median household income in East Tawas is $41,619 compared to $43,529 in Stephenson (-4.4%). While Stephenson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Tawas spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.1% in Stephenson.