Cost of Living in Richmond, MI

Population 5,839 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Richmond is a smaller Michigan community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $61,715 and housing costs ($228,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 23% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Richmond sits roughly 20 miles northeast of Sterling Heights. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Sterling Heights' $261,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 75
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Richmond

The median home value in Richmond is $228,000 — 25% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $870/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,715/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.4%, 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, Richmond has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$228,000
25% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$297,856
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$870/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
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 75.3%
Renter-occupied 24.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$870
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,484/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
29.4 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.0%
Carpooled
14.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Bicycle
2.2%
Work from home
7.2%

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
$61,715
17% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,383
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
74% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.4%
Labor Force Participation
59.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.2%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.3
Male median age 33.9
Female median age 39.6

💨 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

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,463
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Richmond, MI?

Richmond has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Richmond, MI?

The median gross rent in Richmond is $870 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Richmond?

The median home value in Richmond is $228,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Richmond?

The median household income in Richmond is $61,715 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Richmond, MI?

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

Is Richmond, MI affordable?

Yes, Richmond is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

Richmond at a Glance

Population
5,839
Median Income
$61,715
Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$870/mo
Unemployment
8.4%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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