Cost of Living in St. Clair County, Michigan
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How St. Clair County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
St. Clair County ranks #2,251 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 28%)
Sourced county brief
St. Clair County Median Gross Rent Surpasses $1,000
The median gross rent in St. Clair County is $1,029 per month, which is $123 higher than the Michigan unweighted county mean of $906. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was estimated at 32.5%, which is 3.6 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 28.9%. For owner-occupied units, the median home value is $224,600, and the median selected monthly owner costs are $1,023. These monthly owner costs are $105 above the Michigan unweighted county mean of $918. Median renter-household income for the period was $36,662. The data provides a statistical snapshot of tenure-specific housing expenses using the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. This report is for informational purposes and does not provide financial advice or market forecasts. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: St. Clair County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.5% of renter household income in St. Clair County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,029 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,023. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,160 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Michigan unweighted mean of county median rents is $906 per month. St. Clair County's $1,029 median is 13.6% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in St. Clair County
Rent Burden
17.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,663
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.2%
of gross income
The median home in St. Clair County may be a stretch
Median home value is $224,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,793 vs. your max of $1,663.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. Clair County, Michigan?
What is the median rent in St. Clair County?
Is St. Clair County affordable?
How does St. Clair County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in St. Clair County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in St. Clair County, Michigan? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in St. Clair County
Whether you're buying in St. Clair County, Michigan, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.