What is the cost of living in Alma, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Alma has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Alma has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Alma ranks as #26 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Alma ranks as the #153 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Alma, check out:
Alma Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Alma. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Alma is 97.
The Groceries index in Alma is 98.
The Health index in Alma is 52.
The Housing index in Alma is 94.
The Transportation index in Alma is 98.
The Utilities index in Alma is 96.
| Living Expense | Alma | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 52 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 98 | 100 |
Alma Cost Of Living Compared To Michigan Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Alma Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Alma, MI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Michigan, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Alma is $162,539.
The Median Rent in Alma is $836.
The Median Income in Alma is $53,307.
The Home Value To Income in Alma is 3.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Alma is 0.19x.
Alma, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Alma Services costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Alma Groceries costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Alma Health costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Alma Transportation costs vs. Michigan
Alma SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Alma
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Alma. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
East Lansing, MI has a cost of living index of 102, 1.2x Alma.
Midland, MI has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Alma.
Okemos, MI has a cost of living index of 107, 1.3x Alma.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Alma |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing, MI | 45,758 | 102 | 1.2x |
| Midland, MI | 42,724 | 92 | 1.1x |
| Okemos, MI | 26,396 | 107 | 1.3x |
| Waverly, MI | 23,575 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 21,236 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Haslett, MI | 18,559 | 103 | 1.2x |
| Flushing, MI | 8,284 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Grand Ledge, MI | 7,804 | 93 | 1.1x |
| St. Johns, MI | 7,715 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Freeland, MI | 7,557 | 98 | 1.2x |
