Rows tagged local are specific to Kalamazoo (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Kalamazoo, MI. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 2619950 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#83 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#31 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.35
metro-area
#83 of 200
Median household income
$48,649
local
#121 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$23,033
local
#147 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.08%
local
#170 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-3.3%
local
#200 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$152,700
local
#63 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.1×
local
#62 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+4.3%
metro-area
#28 of 200
Price per square foot
$93
local
#79 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,651 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$974
local
#26 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
674
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.72%
local
#147 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,633
local
#128 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.61% of value (~$171/yr)
state
#109 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
18 min
local
#14 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.4¢/kWh
state
#141 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#28 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,700
state
#175 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200
Annual precipitation
39.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200
Annual snowfall
77.6"
metro-area
#197 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
46%
metro-area
#194 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
460
state
#143 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
17
metro-area
#186 of 200
Parks
4
Hiking areas
6
Golf courses
11
Shooting ranges
1
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.