Best small towns to live in Michigan

1. 1
   Sandusky, MI Score 83/100

   2,694 people · typical home $114k · household income $58k · 55 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of MI · 5.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Dollar Bay, MI Score 82/100

   1,049 people · typical home $153k · household income $61k · 66 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of MI · 3.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Pigeon, MI Score 81/100

   1,100 people · typical home $120k · household income $52k · 65 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of MI · 2.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Hancock, MI Score 77/100

   4,574 people · typical home $166k · household income $60k · 80 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of MI · 2.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Laurium, MI Score 77/100

   1,509 people · typical home $126k · household income $54k · 34 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Roscommon, MI Score 76/100

   1,118 people · typical home $94k · household income $54k · 110 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Norway, MI Score 74/100

   2,833 people · typical home $91k · household income $64k · schools in the top 37% of MI · 1.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Ontonagon, MI Score 73/100

   1,355 people · typical home $105k · household income $50k · 120 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 42 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Munising, MI Score 72/100

   1,975 people · typical home $117k · household income $60k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 50% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Bessemer, MI Score 71/100

    1,733 people · typical home $70k · household income $54k · 133 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 38% of MI · 5.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Lake Linden, MI Score 71/100

    1,020 people · typical home $97k · household income $43k · 76 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of MI · 8.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Ithaca, MI Score 71/100

    2,817 people · typical home $133k · household income $63k · 172 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 36% of MI · 2.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Otsego, MI Score 70/100

    4,074 people · typical home $161k · household income $74k · 168 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of MI · 2.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Negaunee, MI Score 70/100

    4,656 people · typical home $170k · household income $71k · 112 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Deckerville, MI Score 69/100

    1,042 people · typical home $82k · household income $53k · 129 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 45% of MI · 8.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    St. Ignace, MI Score 69/100

    2,463 people · typical home $132k · household income $65k · 91 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 54% of MI · 3.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Harvey, MI Score 68/100

    2,880 people · typical home $263k · household income $79k · 112 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of MI · 1.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    West Ishpeming, MI Score 68/100

    2,851 people · typical home $194k · household income $95k · 112 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of MI · 7.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Douglas, MI Score 68/100

    1,427 people · typical home $426k · household income $82k · 106 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 4% of MI · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Kingsford, MI Score 67/100

    5,124 people · typical home $132k · household income $62k · schools in the top 17% of MI · 6.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Cass City, MI Score 67/100

    2,210 people · typical home $113k · household income $53k · 256 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 19% of MI · 6.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    St. Johns, MI Score 67/100

    7,715 people · typical home $192k · household income $69k · 121 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Gladstone, MI Score 67/100

    5,253 people · typical home $119k · household income $55k · 119 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Lapeer, MI Score 66/100

    9,082 people · typical home $178k · household income $53k · 78 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Iron Mountain, MI Score 66/100

    7,518 people · typical home $142k · household income $59k · schools in the top 24% of MI · 4.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Michigan with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Michigan on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Michigan districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Michigan →