Saugatuck, MI vs West Branch, MI

The cost of living difference between Saugatuck, MI and West Branch, MI is dramatic. West Branch is 45.7% cheaper than Saugatuck, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Saugatuck has a cost index of 99 while West Branch sits at 68, 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 Saugatuck is $505/month compared to $847/month in West Branch — a 40% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Saugatuck has cheaper rent, West Branch actually has lower median home values ($114,300 vs $619,400).

Median household income in Saugatuck is $118,309 compared to $40,078 in West Branch (+195.2%). 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 Saugatuck spend roughly 5.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in West Branch.