Cost of Living in Center Line, MI

Population 8,448 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

48
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Center Line is a smaller Michigan community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,857 and housing costs ($145,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Center Line is part of the immediate Warren metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Warren's $182,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 48
Rent 48

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Center Line

The median home value in Center Line is $145,300 — 52% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $627/month, 52% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,857/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 42.3°F. Overall, Center Line has a cost of living index of 48 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$145,300
52% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$262,164
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$627/mo
52% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 57.4%
Renter-occupied 42.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$627
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,241/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.6 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.8%
Carpooled
15.3%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
5.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,857
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,182
Unemployment Rate
7.1%
48% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.2%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.9
Male median age 37.8
Female median age 42

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
42.3°F
Annual Precip
29.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323545587079848174614837
Low °F 202128395060656456453426
Precip" 1.451.412.022.823.493.103.223.103.092.302.161.73

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
50%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
244
PM2.5 days
120
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,548
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Center Line, MI?

Center Line has a cost index of 48 (100 = national average). It is 52% below the national average.

What is average rent in Center Line, MI?

The median gross rent in Center Line is $627 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Center Line?

The median home value in Center Line is $145,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Center Line?

The median household income in Center Line is $52,857 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Center Line, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Center Line is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Center Line, MI affordable?

Yes, Center Line is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 48 — about 52% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Center Line?

Center Line has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 42.3°F. Annual precipitation is 29.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Center Line at a Glance

Population
8,448
Median Income
$52,857
Home Value
$145,300
Median Rent
$627/mo
Unemployment
7.1%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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