Cost of Living in Dexter, MI

Population 4,495 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

128
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dexter is a smaller Michigan community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $103,182 and housing costs ($402,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Dexter sits roughly 9 miles west of Ann Arbor — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Ann Arbor's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Dexter

The median home value in Dexter is $401,800 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,603/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,182/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, below 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, Dexter has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$401,800
32% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$493,017
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,603/mo
22% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
Favors renting
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 75.5%
Renter-occupied 24.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,603
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,217/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
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.6%
Carpooled
2.4%
Walked
4.0%
Bicycle
1.5%
Work from home
23.5%

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
$103,182
38% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,381
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
49% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 38.8%
Graduate degree 31.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3
Male median age 38.7
Female median age 45.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
46%
Good air days/yr
218
Max AQI recorded
244
PM2.5 days
121
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,638
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dexter, MI?

Dexter has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.

What is average rent in Dexter, MI?

The median gross rent in Dexter is $1,603 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dexter?

The median home value in Dexter is $401,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dexter?

The median household income in Dexter is $103,182 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dexter, MI?

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

Is Dexter, MI affordable?

Dexter is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.

Dexter at a Glance

Population
4,495
Median Income
$103,182
Home Value
$401,800
Median Rent
$1,603/mo
Unemployment
2.5%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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