salaryRent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (83.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,160 a year. That is $26 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 97 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Clair Shores?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Clair Shores
| Size | St. Clair Shores | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $810 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $998 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,329 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,768 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,423 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Clair Shores overall?
Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for St. Clair Shores, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in St. Clair Shores
Life in St. Clair Shores
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Clair Shores?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $108 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $210,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Clair Shores, MI?
Renting in St. Clair Shores costs a median of about $1,354 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Clair Shores?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,160 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Clair Shores cheap or expensive?
St. Clair Shores is rated OK: rent takes 20.5% of the typical household income of $79,270. It ranks 97th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Clair Shores?
The median homeowner in St. Clair Shores pays $2,994 a year in property taxes, about 1.42% of the median home value.
Is St. Clair Shores more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Michigan are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Clair Shores?
The median home value in St. Clair Shores is $210,700, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
58,140 people live in St. Clair Shores. Numbers are typical (middle) values.