Lake Orion, MI vs Howell, MI

Lake Orion, MI and Howell, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Lake Orion scores 86 while Howell scores 88 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 Orion is $757/month compared to $1,121/month in Howell — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Orion has cheaper rent, Howell actually has lower median home values ($240,700 vs $346,700).

Median household income in Lake Orion is $98,871 compared to $57,122 in Howell (+73.1%). Lake Orion 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 Orion spend roughly 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Howell.