Houghton, MI vs Whitehall, MI

Houghton, MI and Whitehall, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Houghton scores 78 while Whitehall scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Houghton is $861/month compared to $841/month in Whitehall — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Whitehall is more affordable at $205,800 median vs $233,700.

Median household income in Houghton is $35,417 compared to $58,750 in Whitehall (-39.7%). Whitehall 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 17.2% in Whitehall.