Houghton, MI vs St. Helen, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Helen is 26.2% cheaper than Houghton. With a cost index of 62 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Helen to Houghton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Houghton is $861/month compared to $728/month in St. Helen — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Helen is more affordable at $85,300 median vs $233,700.

Median household income in Houghton is $35,417 compared to $42,091 in St. Helen (-15.9%). St. Helen offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Houghton spend roughly 29.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in St. Helen.