Montgomery, MI vs Stephenson, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Stephenson is 25.2% cheaper than Montgomery. With a cost index of 61 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Stephenson to Montgomery should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Montgomery is $1,175/month compared to $657/month in Stephenson — a 79% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Stephenson has cheaper rent, Montgomery actually has lower median home values ($93,100 vs $97,700).

Median household income in Montgomery is $54,000 compared to $43,529 in Stephenson (+24.1%). The higher salaries in Montgomery partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Montgomery spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Stephenson.