Montague, MI vs St. Joseph, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Montague is 19.5% cheaper than St. Joseph. With a cost index of 70 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Montague to St. Joseph should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Montague is $735/month compared to $1,079/month in St. Joseph — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montague is more affordable at $184,700 median vs $271,100.

Median household income in Montague is $69,375 compared to $77,765 in St. Joseph (-10.8%). The higher salaries in St. Joseph partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Montague spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in St. Joseph.