Traverse City, MI vs Kalamazoo, MI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kalamazoo, MI is 1.6% more expensive than Traverse City, MI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Traverse City works out to about $76,200 in Kalamazoo, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher in Kalamazoo, while housing is 4.4% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,287 a month in Kalamazoo and $1,853 in Traverse City, $6,792 a year less in Kalamazoo (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $274,000 in Kalamazoo and $419,000 in Traverse City.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.5%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Traverse City and Kalamazoo
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
All items Traverse City, MI: 93.4 Kalamazoo, MI: 94.8
Goods Traverse City, MI: 93.7 Kalamazoo, MI: 93.7
Housing (rents) Traverse City, MI: 78.1 Kalamazoo, MI: 81.6
Utilities Traverse City, MI: 92.4 Kalamazoo, MI: 99.3
Other services Traverse City, MI: 99.6 Kalamazoo, MI: 99.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 94.8 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.1 | 81.6 |
| Utilities | 92.4 | 99.3 |
| Other services | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| Category | Traverse City | Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo vs Traverse City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 94.8 | +1.6% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.1 | 81.6 | +4.4% |
| Utilities | 92.4 | 99.3 | +7.5% |
| Other services | 99.6 | 99.6 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,853 | $1,287 | −30.5% |
| Typical home value | $419,000 | $274,000 | −34.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Traverse City | $75,000 | $76,200 | +1.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Traverse City and Kalamazoo has narrowed since 2008: 12.2 points then, 1.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.3 | 97.5 |
| 2009 | 89.4 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 94.2 | 95.5 |
| 2011 | 88.2 | 93.7 |
| 2012 | 91.7 | 95.4 |
| 2013 | 90.0 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 90.1 | 96.3 |
| 2015 | 91.2 | 93.1 |
| 2016 | 89.7 | 96.4 |
| 2017 | 88.9 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 92.7 | 94.9 |
| 2019 | 93.6 | 94.1 |
| 2020 | 90.4 | 95.3 |
| 2021 | 93.4 | 93.1 |
| 2022 | 93.3 | 94.8 |
| 2023 | 90.6 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.4 | 94.8 |
Goods
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 76.8 | 99.0 |
| 2009 | 84.7 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 93.4 | 96.5 |
| 2011 | 94.1 | 96.0 |
| 2012 | 95.3 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 94.7 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 95.6 | 98.4 |
| 2015 | 96.0 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 96.8 |
| 2017 | 93.7 | 94.9 |
| 2018 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 92.1 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 80.8 | 88.7 |
| 2009 | 84.6 | 92.0 |
| 2010 | 93.4 | 83.2 |
| 2011 | 71.3 | 79.1 |
| 2012 | 79.8 | 85.3 |
| 2013 | 75.0 | 90.1 |
| 2014 | 74.2 | 90.9 |
| 2015 | 84.8 | 77.4 |
| 2016 | 80.5 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 80.5 | 82.1 |
| 2018 | 78.0 | 84.4 |
| 2019 | 79.5 | 75.7 |
| 2020 | 70.8 | 89.3 |
| 2021 | 81.4 | 76.2 |
| 2022 | 83.8 | 89.5 |
| 2023 | 69.5 | 82.6 |
| 2024 | 78.1 | 81.6 |
Utilities
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.4 | 93.3 |
| 2009 | 92.4 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 100.6 | 102.8 |
| 2011 | 95.0 | 105.0 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 107.0 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 106.5 |
| 2014 | 92.8 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 93.4 | 97.3 |
| 2016 | 96.6 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 93.4 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 97.2 | 104.5 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 101.4 |
| 2020 | 97.9 | 105.4 |
| 2021 | 98.7 | 104.8 |
| 2022 | 92.4 | 98.0 |
| 2023 | 92.0 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 92.4 | 99.3 |
Other services
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.5 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 95.0 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 94.8 | 99.1 |
| 2011 | 92.5 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 94.7 | 97.1 |
| 2013 | 93.5 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 94.1 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 91.1 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 90.4 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 89.7 | 95.3 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2020 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2021 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,287 in Kalamazoo vs $1,853 in Traverse City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $732 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $721 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $759 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $744 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $756 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $772 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $795 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $776 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $794 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $810 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $812 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $817 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $828 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $853 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $861 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $869 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $881 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $885 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $900 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $919 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $917 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $921 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $933 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $945 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $960 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $988 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,031 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,040 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,060 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,454 | $1,099 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,435 | $1,120 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,430 | $1,110 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,473 | $1,117 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,638 | $1,134 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,591 | $1,132 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,528 | $1,135 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,666 | $1,155 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,681 | $1,182 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,661 | $1,188 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,609 | $1,200 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,677 | $1,216 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,756 | $1,220 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,774 | $1,227 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,695 | $1,223 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,785 | $1,241 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,852 | $1,279 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,853 | $1,287 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $274,000 in Kalamazoo vs $419,000 in Traverse City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Traverse City, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $196K | $136K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $197K | $140K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $199K | $142K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $203K | $144K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $207K | $146K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $208K | $148K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $208K | $150K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $211K | $150K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $216K | $151K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $220K | $154K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $223K | $156K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $226K | $160K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $231K | $163K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $234K | $166K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $238K | $169K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $171K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $174K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $244K | $178K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $246K | $178K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $181K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $257K | $186K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $256K | $189K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $261K | $191K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $276K | $199K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $294K | $207K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $315K | $216K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $327K | $221K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $332K | $224K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $347K | $232K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $366K | $240K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $367K | $239K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $366K | $238K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $367K | $237K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $380K | $244K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $388K | $248K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $388K | $248K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $392K | $252K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $398K | $256K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $402K | $256K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $407K | $259K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $407K | $261K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $408K | $261K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $407K | $263K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $410K | $267K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $415K | $271K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $417K | $273K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $419K | $274K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.