Cost of Living in Wayne, MI

Population 17,413 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

56
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wayne is a smaller Michigan community of around 17000 residents, where median household incomes of $54,467 and housing costs ($142,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Wayne sits roughly 9 miles west of Dearborn — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 31% lower than Dearborn's $206,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 47
Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in Wayne

The median home value in Wayne is $142,200 — 53% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $924/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,467/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.6%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 59.1°F and lows of 42.0°F, with about 45" of annual snowfall. Overall, Wayne has a cost of living index of 56 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 44% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$142,200
53% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$168,058
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$924/mo
30% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,274/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.8x
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 57.9%
Renter-occupied 42.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$924
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,538/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
28.4 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.2%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
7.7%

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
$54,467
27% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,960
Unemployment Rate
9.6%
100% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 4.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 41.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.1°F
Avg Low
42.0°F
Annual Precip
34.3"
Annual Snowfall
45"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323546597080848174624937
Low °F 192129395060646356443425
Precip" 2.232.082.433.263.723.263.513.263.222.532.572.25
Snow" 14.012.56.21.50.00.00.00.00.00.01.98.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
19.2%
Good air days/yr
226
Max AQI recorded
329
PM2.5 days
33
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wayne, MI?

Wayne has a cost index of 56 (100 = national average). It is 44% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wayne, MI?

The median gross rent in Wayne is $924 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wayne?

The median home value in Wayne is $142,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wayne?

The median household income in Wayne is $54,467 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wayne, MI?

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

Is Wayne, MI affordable?

Yes, Wayne is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 56 — about 44% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Wayne?

Wayne has average high temperatures of 59.1°F and average lows of 42.0°F. Annual precipitation is 34.3". Average annual snowfall is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Wayne at a Glance

Population
17,413
Median Income
$54,467
Home Value
$142,200
Median Rent
$924/mo
Unemployment
9.6%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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