Houghton Lake, MI vs Lawton, MI

Houghton Lake is moderately more affordable than Lawton, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Houghton Lake scores 67 compared to 71 for Lawton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lawton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Houghton Lake is $791/month compared to $824/month in Lawton — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houghton Lake is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $159,100.

Median household income in Houghton Lake is $50,861 compared to $54,718 in Lawton (-7%). While Lawton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Houghton Lake spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Lawton.