Cost of Living in South Lyon, MI

Population 11,825 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

South Lyon 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.

South Lyon sits roughly 13 miles northeast of Ann Arbor — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Ann Arbor's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in South Lyon

The median home value in South Lyon is $280,900 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,208/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,822/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, 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, South Lyon has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$280,900
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$459,086
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
8% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4x
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 79.6%
Renter-occupied 20.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,208
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,822/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
33.4 min
24% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.1%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
11.1%

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
$83,822
12% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,353
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
23% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor Force Participation
70.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.8%
Graduate degree 19.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.8
Male median age 40.9
Female median age 44.2

💨 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

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
13
Public schools
8,820
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in South Lyon, MI?

South Lyon has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in South Lyon, MI?

The median gross rent in South Lyon is $1,208 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in South Lyon?

The median home value in South Lyon is $280,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in South Lyon?

The median household income in South Lyon is $83,822 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in South Lyon, MI?

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

Is South Lyon, MI affordable?

South Lyon is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

South Lyon at a Glance

Population
11,825
Median Income
$83,822
Home Value
$280,900
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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