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Sturgis, MI

Cost of living in St. Joseph County, MI

Estimated monthly cost
$2,687/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 60,870 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $719 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $465 17%
Groceries $326 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $191 7%
State tax $136 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in St. Joseph County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$661
per month
1 bedroom
$719
per month
2 bedroom
$943
per month
3 bedroom
$1,295
per month
4 bedroom
$1,399
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in St. Joseph County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,707
per year
Individual earnings
$38,475
per year
Per capita
$31,170
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in St. Joseph County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$167,600
Annual property tax
$1,867

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in St. Joseph County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$128
per month · 19.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,292
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in St. Joseph County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in St. Joseph County

State and local tax rates for Michigan.

State income tax
4.3%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in St. Joseph County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.0 min
Drive alone
74.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
6.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for St. Joseph County

What it costs to live in St. Joseph County each month.

Single person
$2,687
per month
  • Rent $719
  • Energy $191
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $465
  • State tax $136
Couple
$4,014
per month
  • Rent $943
  • Energy $229
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $729
  • State tax $229
Family
$6,499
per month
  • Rent $1,295
  • Energy $286
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $729
  • State tax $229

Frequently asked questions about St. Joseph County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in St. Joseph County?

In St. Joseph County, MI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $719 per month, a two-bedroom averages $943 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,295 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in St. Joseph County?

In St. Joseph County, MI, the average household income is $64,707 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,475 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in St. Joseph County?

The estimated cost of living in St. Joseph County, MI is approximately $2,687 per month for a single person, $4,014 for a couple, $6,499 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in St. Joseph County?

The combined sales tax rate in St. Joseph County, MI is 6.00%, which includes the Michigan state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is St. Joseph County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in St. Joseph County, MI would need approximately $2,687 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,707 per year ($5,392 per month). St. Joseph County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in St. Joseph County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in St. Joseph County, MI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in St. Joseph County?

The average home value in St. Joseph County, MI is $167,600, with average annual property taxes of $1,867, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does St. Joseph County compare to other areas?

You can compare St. Joseph County, MI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. St. Joseph County is in the Sturgis, MI metro area.

Other counties in Michigan

Browse the full list of counties in Michigan, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Michigan

Compare St. Joseph County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources