Lake Odessa, MI vs Manistee, MI

Lake Odessa, MI and Manistee, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Lake Odessa scores 66 while Manistee scores 68 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 Lake Odessa is $688/month compared to $771/month in Manistee — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Odessa has cheaper rent, Manistee actually has lower median home values ($144,400 vs $150,300).

Median household income in Lake Odessa is $71,157 compared to $59,315 in Manistee (+20%). Lake Odessa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Odessa spend roughly 11.6% of their income on rent, less than the 15.6% in Manistee.