Lakeport, MI vs St. James, MI

Lakeport, MI and St. James, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Lakeport scores 84 while St. James scores 83 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 Lakeport is $1,162/month compared to $925/month in St. James — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. James has cheaper rent, Lakeport actually has lower median home values ($172,000 vs $275,000).

Median household income in Lakeport is $55,167 compared to $82,708 in St. James (-33.3%). St. James offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakeport spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in St. James.