South Rockwood, MI vs Kent City, MI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Kent City, MI has a modeled overall cost index 0.1% lower than South Rockwood, MI.

South Rockwood, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,680 / month
Kent City, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,520 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare South Rockwood, MI and Kent City, MI using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $20.75/month in Kent City, MI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $150,249 in Kent City, MI

Regional cost estimates: South Rockwood, MI uses Detroit, MI. Kent City, MI uses Milwaukee, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 0.1%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$20.75
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$249
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

South Rockwood, MI

Population:2K
Cost Index:
76.5
100 = national average
Typical Home:$293K

Kent City, MI

Population:1K
Cost Index:
76.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$315K

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South Rockwood, MI

The Great Lakes State

2K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 2K residents.

Kent City, MI

The Great Lakes State

1K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 1K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: South Rockwood, MI vs Kent City, MI

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 19.1%
South Rockwood, MI
$1,532
Kent City, MI
$1,826
Difference
$293
more
Transportation
↓ 13.5%
South Rockwood, MI
$1,715
Kent City, MI
$1,484
Difference
$231
less
Healthcare
↑ 25.3%
South Rockwood, MI
$660
Kent City, MI
$827
Difference
$167
more
Other
↓ 7.3%
South Rockwood, MI
$1,828
Kent City, MI
$1,695
Difference
$133
less
All Utilities
↓ 10.4%
South Rockwood, MI
$653
Kent City, MI
$585
Difference
$67.79
less
Groceries
↓ 0.7%
South Rockwood, MI
$1,112
Kent City, MI
$1,104
Difference
$7.57
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,160
To$1,220
↑ $60.00
1 Bed
From$1,280
To$1,270
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$1,680
To$1,520
↓ $160
3 Bed
From$2,030
To$1,970
↓ $60.00
South Rockwood, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,280–$1,280/mo

Kent City, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,270–$1,270/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in South Rockwood, MI
$7,521
Monthly in Kent City, MI
$20.75
Difference

Home Values

South Rockwood
Kent City
$293K
Median Value
$315K
↑ +8.7%
YoY Change
↑ +5.5%
↑ +38.8%
5-Year Change
↑ +44.5%

Homes in Kent City are 8% more expensive than South Rockwood

Calculate payment - South RockwoodCalculate payment - Kent City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

South Rockwood, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Kent City, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Additional Tax Information

South Rockwood, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

Kent City, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

South Rockwood
Kent City
55 Moderate
Air Quality
43 Good
32.8%
Good Air Days
68.6%
99 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
13 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
13 days

Before moving from South Rockwood, MI to Kent City, MI

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Kent City, MI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in South Rockwood, MI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your South Rockwood to Kent City moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Kent City, MI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: South Rockwood, MI vs Kent City, MI

How do the cost estimates for South Rockwood, MI and Kent City, MI compare?

Kent City, MI has a modeled overall cost index 0.1% lower than South Rockwood, MI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in South Rockwood, MI, the model estimates $150,249 in Kent City, MI. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for South Rockwood, MI and Kent City, MI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,680/month in South Rockwood, MI and $1,520/month in Kent City, MI. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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