Cost of Living in Utica, MI

Population 5,184 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Utica is a smaller Michigan community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,524 and housing costs ($217,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Utica is part of the immediate Sterling Heights metro area. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Sterling Heights' $261,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 71
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Utica

The median home value in Utica is $216,800 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $984/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,524/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, 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, Utica has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$216,800
29% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$225,946
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$984/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
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 56.1%
Renter-occupied 43.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$984
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,598/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.5%
Carpooled
6.0%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
9.4%

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
$55,524
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,937
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
30% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 10.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.8
Male median age 41.6
Female median age 49.5

💨 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Utica, MI?

Utica has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Utica, MI?

The median gross rent in Utica is $984 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Utica?

The median home value in Utica is $216,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Utica?

The median household income in Utica is $55,524 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Utica, MI?

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

Is Utica, MI affordable?

Yes, Utica is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

Utica at a Glance

Population
5,184
Median Income
$55,524
Home Value
$216,800
Median Rent
$984/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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