Cost of Living in Clawson, MI

Population 11,314 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Clawson sits on the smaller end of the Michigan city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Clawson sits roughly 7 miles west of Sterling Heights. Housing prices track closely with Sterling Heights' $261,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 82
Rent 95

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

About the Cost of Living in Clawson

The median home value in Clawson is $250,800 — 18% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,253/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,630/year is 16% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, 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%. Overall, Clawson has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$250,800
18% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$279,421
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
5% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,526/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7x
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 73.6%
Renter-occupied 26.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,253
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,867/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
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.5%
Carpooled
4.0%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
1.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
21.2%

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
$86,630
16% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,932
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
8% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
71.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.3%
Graduate degree 13.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.8
Male median age 40.1
Female median age 42.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
73.9%
Good air days/yr
169
Max AQI recorded
53
PM2.5 days
208
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,469
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Clawson, MI?

Clawson has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Clawson, MI?

The median gross rent in Clawson is $1,253 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Clawson?

The median home value in Clawson is $250,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Clawson?

The median household income in Clawson is $86,630 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Clawson, MI?

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

Is Clawson, MI affordable?

Yes, Clawson is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

Clawson at a Glance

Population
11,314
Median Income
$86,630
Home Value
$250,800
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Unemployment
5.2%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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