Cost of Living in Fountain, MI

With a cost of living index of 74, Fountain, MI is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 26% cheaper than the national average and 4% below the Michigan state average of 78. Fountain is a small community of 229 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Fountain's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,094 (17% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $100,000 (67% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.1x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Fountain is $47,500, which is 37% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 28% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.