Cost of living comparison
Michigan is 0.2% more expensive than Iowa.
- Restaurants
-
pay 6.3% more in Michigan
- Groceries
-
pay 2.1% less in Michigan
- Transportation
-
pay 9.8% more in Michigan
- Housing
-
pay 6.9% more in Michigan
- Childcare
-
pay 1.3% more in Michigan
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 10.6% less in Michigan
- Clothing
-
pay 10.0% less in Michigan
The cost of transportation, housing, restaurants, and childcare in Michigan are more expensive than in Iowa. Expenses including entertainment and sports, clothing, and groceries are lower in Michigan.
If you lived in Michigan instead of Iowa, you would:
pay 6.3% more for restaurants
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$15.50
|
$15.68
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.86
|
$9.87
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.25
|
$2.44
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.61
|
$1.85
|
|
pay 2.1% less for groceries
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.75
|
$3.01
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.26
|
$6.12
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.55
|
$3.27
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.97
|
$2.81
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.90
|
$4.74
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.27
|
$2.25
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.66
|
$0.66
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.31
|
$1.83
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$1.98
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.17
|
$1.17
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$1.35
|
|
pay 9.8% more for transportation
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.26
|
$3.37
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$41.60
|
$48.27
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,209.92
|
$31,758.20
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$15.53
|
$16.62
|
|
pay 6.9% more for housing
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.83
|
$60.88
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,149.79
|
$1,322.38
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$848.38
|
$1,104.85
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$132.52
|
$124.58
|
|
pay 1.3% more for childcare
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,043.98
|
$1,159.08
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$19,039.50
|
$17,453.87
|
|
pay 10.6% less for entertainment and sports
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$4.95
|
$5.24
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.14
|
$4.78
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.68
|
$8.42
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.12
|
$41.69
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.83
|
$10.67
|
|
pay 10.0% less for clothing
Iowa
|
Michigan
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.44
|
$46.13
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$39.50
|
$33.59
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.35
|
$77.38
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$105.02
|
$95.04
|
|
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