Hazel Park, MI vs Houghton Lake, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Houghton Lake is 24% cheaper than Hazel Park. With a cost index of 67 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Houghton Lake to Hazel Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hazel Park is $1,221/month compared to $791/month in Houghton Lake — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houghton Lake is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $141,200.

Median household income in Hazel Park is $62,878 compared to $50,861 in Houghton Lake (+23.6%). The higher salaries in Hazel Park partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hazel Park spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Houghton Lake.