Gaines, MI vs Stanwood, MI

Gaines is moderately more affordable than Stanwood, with a 10.9% lower cost of living index. Gaines scores 65 compared to 72 for Stanwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Stanwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gaines is $734/month compared to $950/month in Stanwood — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gaines has cheaper rent, Stanwood actually has lower median home values ($131,300 vs $131,900).

Median household income in Gaines is $57,500 compared to $51,319 in Stanwood (+12%). Gaines offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gaines spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Stanwood.