Cost of Living in St. Clair, MI

Population 5,581 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives St. Clair a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $242,000.

Located 30 miles northeast of Sterling Heights, St. Clair falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Sterling Heights' $261,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Clair

The median home value in St. Clair is $241,700 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,033/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $68,482/year is 8% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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, St. Clair has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$241,700
21% below avg
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
21% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5x
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 69.7%
Renter-occupied 30.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,033
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,647/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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.5%
Carpooled
13.8%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
3.2%
Work from home
6.5%

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
$68,482
8% below avg
Per Capita Income
$45,465
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
10% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor Force Participation
59.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.6%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.4
Male median age 38.7
Female median age 44.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.4%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
256
PM2.5 days
106
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Clair, MI?

St. Clair has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Clair, MI?

The median gross rent in St. Clair is $1,033 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Clair?

The median home value in St. Clair is $241,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Clair?

The median household income in St. Clair is $68,482 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Clair, MI?

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

Is St. Clair, MI affordable?

Yes, St. Clair is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

St. Clair at a Glance

Population
5,581
Median Income
$68,482
Home Value
$241,700
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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