River Rouge, MI Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In River Rouge, MI Summary

Cost of living in River Rouge research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means River Rouge is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Michigan, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in River Rouge is 81, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in River Rouge is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • River Rouge ranks as the #11 cheapest in Michigan out of 180.

  • River Rouge ranks as the #158 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in River Rouge is $83,340.

  • The median income in River Rouge is $32,568.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
81
River Rouge's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in River Rouge, MI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, River Rouge has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Michigan, River Rouge has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Michigan's index of 90.

The standard of living in River Rouge ranks as #11 most affordable out of the 180 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies River Rouge ranks as the #169 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.

For more reading on life in River Rouge, check out:

11 out of 180
In Michigan
158 out of 6,489
In America

River Rouge Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in River Rouge. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in River Rouge is 100.

  • The Groceries index in River Rouge is 103.

  • The Health index in River Rouge is 101.

  • The Housing index in River Rouge is 31.

  • The Transportation index in River Rouge is 101.

  • The Utilities index in River Rouge is 92.

Living Expense River Rouge Michigan National Average
Overall 81 90 100
Services 100 93 100
Groceries 103 97 100
Health 101 91 100
Housing 31 72 100
Transportation 101 96 100
Utilities 92 99 100
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
River Rouge Cost of Living Vs. MI

River Rouge, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in River Rouge is $83,340.

  • The Median Rent in River Rouge is $759.

  • The Median Income in River Rouge is $32,568.

  • The Home Value To Income in River Rouge is 2.6x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in River Rouge is 0.28x.

Statistic River Rouge Michigan United States
Median Home Value $83,340 $258,642 $303,400
Median Rent $759 $1,084 $1,348
Median Income $32,568 $71,149 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.6x 3.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.28x 0.18x 0.21x
$83,340
Median Home Value
$759
Median Rent
$32,568
Median Income

River Rouge, MI Costs By Category

Detailed River Rouge Services Costs Vs. Michigan

Item River Rouge Michigan
Shampoo $1.13 $1.28
Movie $12.99 $12.13
Bowling $12.33 $18
Haircut $16.8 $24.26
Beauty Salon $24.78 $45.56

Detailed River Rouge Groceries Costs Vs. Michigan

Item River Rouge Michigan
Ground Beef $5.75 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.41 $1.57
Milk $4.78 $4.67
Potatoes $4.8 $4.93
Pizza $8.99 $12.09
Beer $9.04 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.66 $3.7

Detailed River Rouge Health Costs Vs. Michigan

Item River Rouge Michigan
Optometrist $85.0 $125.68
Doctor $103.33 $135.78
Dentist $91.0 $113.29

Detailed River Rouge Transportation Costs Vs. Michigan

Item River Rouge Michigan
Gasoline $3.35 $3.46
Tire Balancing $56.0 $59.92

Detailed River Rouge Utilities Costs Vs. Michigan

Item River Rouge Michigan
All Electricity $219.2 $193.99
Phone $184.44 $192.25

River Rouge SnackAbility

3
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
3/10
Housing
3
Affordability
8
Diversity
9
Safety
5
Amenities
8.5
Education
3
Commute
7

Cost Of Living In Cities Around River Rouge

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around River Rouge. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 85, 1.0x River Rouge.

  • Dearborn, MI has a cost of living index of 98, 1.2x River Rouge.

  • Livonia, MI has a cost of living index of 104, 1.3x River Rouge.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. River Rouge
Detroit, MI 636,644 85 1.0x
Dearborn, MI 107,846 98 1.2x
Livonia, MI 94,058 104 1.3x
Taylor, MI 62,405 90 1.1x
Royal Oak, MI 57,880 107 1.3x
Lincoln Park, MI 39,511 88 1.1x
Southgate, MI 29,551 91 1.1x
Allen Park, MI 28,128 97 1.2x
Wyandotte, MI 24,593 92 1.1x
Birmingham, MI 21,612 149 1.8x

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