Gaylord, MI vs Shepherd, MI

Shepherd is moderately more affordable than Gaylord, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Gaylord scores 72 compared to 68 for Shepherd, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gaylord can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gaylord is $844/month compared to $790/month in Shepherd — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shepherd is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $170,300.

Median household income in Gaylord is $44,052 compared to $76,591 in Shepherd (-42.5%). Shepherd offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gaylord spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 12.4% in Shepherd.