South Haven, MI vs Sturgis, MI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Sturgis is 26.1% cheaper than South Haven. With a cost index of 68 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Sturgis to South Haven should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in South Haven is $718/month compared to $793/month in Sturgis — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Haven has cheaper rent, Sturgis actually has lower median home values ($129,400 vs $372,200).

Median household income in South Haven is $64,338 compared to $60,640 in Sturgis (+6.1%). South Haven does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of South Haven spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Sturgis.