salaryRent is lower than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (84.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $57,080 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 108 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Norton Shores?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Norton Shores
| Size | Norton Shores | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $968 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,158 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,511 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,657 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Norton Shores overall?
Everyday prices in the Muskegon-Norton Shores metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Norton Shores
Life in Norton Shores
What jobs pay in Norton Shores
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,460 | 12.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,230 | 13.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,670 | 14.6% |
| Software Developer | $101,940 | 16.8% |
| Lawyer | $97,300 | 17.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,140 | 18.4% |
| Operations Manager | $86,200 | 19.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $79,840 | 21.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,660 | 21.5% |
| Electrician | $77,100 | 22.2% |
| Police Officer | $76,430 | 22.4% |
| Plumber | $76,290 | 22.4% |
| Accountant | $75,480 | 22.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,660 | 27.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,290 | 27.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,400 | 29.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,550 | 30.3% |
| Truck Driver | $50,500 | 33.9% |
| Carpenter | $48,830 | 35.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $44,920 | 38.1% |
| Firefighter | $41,580 | 41.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,760 | 42.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,190 | 42.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,760 | 44.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,330 | 44.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,810 | 47.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,570 | 56.0% |
| Cashier | $28,590 | 59.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Norton Shores?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $202 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $234,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Norton Shores, MI?
Renting in Norton Shores costs a median of about $1,427 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Norton Shores?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $57,080 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Norton Shores cheap or expensive?
Norton Shores is rated OK: rent takes 20.7% of the typical household income of $82,590. It ranks 108th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Norton Shores?
The median homeowner in Norton Shores pays $2,857 a year in property taxes, about 1.22% of the median home value.
Is Norton Shores more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Norton Shores?
The median home value in Norton Shores is $234,800, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
25,041 people live in Norton Shores. Numbers are typical (middle) values.