salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.6 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 55.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,480 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 98 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Joseph?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Joseph
| Size | St. Joseph | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $835 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $998 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,552 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,855 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Joseph 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. Joseph, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in St. Joseph
Life in St. Joseph
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Joseph?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $713 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $299,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,900 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Joseph, MI?
Renting in St. Joseph costs a median of about $1,362 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Joseph?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,480 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Joseph cheap or expensive?
St. Joseph is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.0% of the typical household income of $90,655. It ranks 98th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Joseph?
The median homeowner in St. Joseph pays $4,582 a year in property taxes, about 1.53% of the median home value.
Is St. Joseph 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. Joseph?
The median home value in St. Joseph is $299,000, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
7,986 people live in St. Joseph. Numbers are typical (middle) values.