What is the cost of living in Benton Harbor, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Benton Harbor has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Benton Harbor has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Benton Harbor ranks as #9 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Benton Harbor ranks as the #170 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Benton Harbor, check out:
Benton Harbor Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Benton Harbor. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Benton Harbor is 93.
The Groceries index in Benton Harbor is 99.
The Health index in Benton Harbor is 44.
The Housing index in Benton Harbor is 92.
The Transportation index in Benton Harbor is 95.
The Utilities index in Benton Harbor is 95.
| Living Expense | Benton Harbor | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 44 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 98 | 100 |
Benton Harbor 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 Benton Harbor Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Benton Harbor, 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 Benton Harbor is $151,454.
The Median Rent in Benton Harbor is $851.
The Median Income in Benton Harbor is $31,117.
The Home Value To Income in Benton Harbor is 4.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Benton Harbor is 0.33x.
| Statistic | Benton Harbor | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $151,454 | $259,857 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $851 | $1,129 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $31,117 | $72,875 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.9x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.33x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
Benton Harbor, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Benton Harbor Services costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Benton Harbor | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.14 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $8.35 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $16.07 | $18 |
| Haircut | $19.25 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $26.42 | $45.56 |
Detailed Benton Harbor Groceries costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Benton Harbor | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.62 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.38 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.65 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.58 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.14 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.06 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.59 | $3.7 |
Detailed Benton Harbor Health costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Benton Harbor | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $74.5 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $121.31 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $112.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Benton Harbor Transportation costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Benton Harbor | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.34 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $54.56 | $59.92 |
Detailed Benton Harbor Utilities costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Benton Harbor | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $205.85 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $184.44 | $192.25 |
Benton Harbor SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Benton Harbor
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Benton Harbor. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Portage, MI has a cost of living index of 96, 1.2x Benton Harbor.
Holland, MI has a cost of living index of 98, 1.2x Benton Harbor.
Goshen, IN has a cost of living index of 88, 1.1x Benton Harbor.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Benton Harbor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portage, MI | 49,259 | 96 | 1.2x |
| Holland, MI | 34,423 | 98 | 1.2x |
| Goshen, IN | 34,420 | 88 | 1.1x |
| Granger, IN | 30,321 | 106 | 1.3x |
| Westwood, MI | 8,867 | 94 | 1.2x |
| St. Joseph, MI | 7,986 | 98 | 1.2x |
| Fair Plain, MI | 7,330 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Eastwood, MI | 6,669 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Dunlap, IN | 6,109 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Comstock Northwest, MI | 5,391 | 94 | 1.2x |
