Marquette, MI vs St. Joseph, MI

Marquette, MI and St. Joseph, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Marquette scores 83 while St. Joseph scores 86 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 Marquette is $958/month compared to $1,079/month in St. Joseph — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marquette is more affordable at $254,100 median vs $271,100.

Median household income in Marquette is $55,825 compared to $77,765 in St. Joseph (-28.2%). While St. Joseph is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marquette spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in St. Joseph.