Rows tagged local are specific to Portage (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: 6/10 (district Portage Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#31 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.35
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Median household income
$74,837
local
#2006 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$44,724
local
#1721 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
34.9 years
metro-area
#28 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
40.8%
metro-area
#37 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.8%
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
63.9%
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.07%
local
#2287 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.8%
local
#1975 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$222,600
local
#769 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.0×
local
#730 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+4.3%
metro-area
#28 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$135
local
#1005 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,062
local
#577 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
674
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.69%
local
#2511 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,760
local
#1655 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
77.1 years
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.1%
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
99
metro-area
#17 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.61% of value (~$171/yr)
state
#109 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#222 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
77.8%
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
20.8%
metro-area
#15 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.4¢/kWh
state
#141 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#28 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,700
state
#175 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
81.7 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#37 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
87%
state
#151 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
7
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
39.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
77.6"
metro-area
#197 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
46%
metro-area
#194 of 200 metros
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 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
17
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
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 metros
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.