Ludington, MI vs Monroe, MI

Ludington, MI and Monroe, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Ludington scores 74 while Monroe scores 73 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 Ludington is $824/month compared to $898/month in Monroe — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ludington has cheaper rent, Monroe actually has lower median home values ($161,500 vs $192,800).

Median household income in Ludington is $44,471 compared to $59,532 in Monroe (-25.3%). Monroe offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ludington spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Monroe.