Cost of Living in Benton Harbor, MI
| Cost of Living in Benton Harbor, MI | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 24% lower | 32% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 7% higher | 6% higher |
| Food | 3% lower | 2% lower |
| Healthcare | 18% lower | 16% lower |
| Transportation | 6% lower | 4% lower |
| Goods & Services | 9% lower | 12% lower |
The cost of living in Benton Harbor, MI is 11% lower than the state average and 14% lower than the national average. Benton Harbor, MI housing is 32% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 12% less in Benton Harbor, MI than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 12% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 16% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 12% cheaper in Benton Harbor, MI.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Benton Harbor is $796, while home prices circle around $286,363.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Benton Harbor, energy bills cost around $205.85 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.65 in Benton Harbor, a dozen eggs go for around $3.30 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.58.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Benton Harbor, an optometry check-up costs around $74.50, while a dentist appointment is priced $112.00 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.34 in Benton Harbor, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.56.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $24.94 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $21.06.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Benton Harbor, you should budget around $8.35 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $19.25, while dry cleaning costs about $18.00.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Benton Harbor, the median household income is $24,549.