St. Joseph, MI vs West Ishpeming, MI

West Ishpeming is moderately more affordable than St. Joseph, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. St. Joseph scores 86 compared to 78 for West Ishpeming, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of St. Joseph can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in St. Joseph is $1,079/month compared to $1,048/month in West Ishpeming — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Ishpeming is more affordable at $166,100 median vs $271,100.

Median household income in St. Joseph is $77,765 compared to $80,500 in West Ishpeming (-3.4%). West Ishpeming offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of St. Joseph spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in West Ishpeming.