Oakley, MI vs Saugatuck, MI

The cost of living difference between Oakley, MI and Saugatuck, MI is dramatic. Oakley is 38.9% cheaper than Saugatuck, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oakley has a cost index of 60 while Saugatuck sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Oakley is $745/month compared to $505/month in Saugatuck — a 48% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Saugatuck has cheaper rent, Oakley actually has lower median home values ($80,400 vs $619,400).

Median household income in Oakley is $50,417 compared to $118,309 in Saugatuck (-57.4%). While Saugatuck is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oakley spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 5.1% in Saugatuck.