Cost of Living in St. Johns, MI

Population 7,712 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

61
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. Johns a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $175,000.

St. Johns sits roughly 20 miles north of Lansing — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 47% higher than Lansing's $119,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Johns

The median home value in St. Johns is $175,300 — 43% 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 $63,030/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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. Johns has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$175,300
43% below avg
Median Rent
$870/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8x
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 67.8%
Renter-occupied 32.2%

💰 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
22.4 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.4%
Carpooled
4.9%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
3.2%
Work from home
16.0%

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
$63,030
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,934
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
19% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Labor Force Participation
60.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.2%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.5
Male median age 35.8
Female median age 45.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
85.8%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
240
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Johns has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Johns, MI?

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

What is the average home price in St. Johns?

The median home value in St. Johns is $175,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Johns?

The median household income in St. Johns is $63,030 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

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

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

Is St. Johns, MI affordable?

Yes, St. Johns is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

St. Johns at a Glance

Population
7,712
Median Income
$63,030
Home Value
$175,300
Median Rent
$870/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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