What are the schools like in Alma, MI?

Alma is served primarily by Alma Public Schools. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.5:1.

What is the median household income in Alma?

The median household income in Alma, MI is $44,375 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.1%.

What is the weather like in Alma, MI?

Alma has an average high temperature of 29.1°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 39.3 inches.

Alma, MI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Alma, MI affordable or expensive?

Alma's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Alma is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $97,300 and the median rent is $738 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Alma, MI?

Alma has a violent crime rate of 503.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 964.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Alma, MI a Good Place to Live?

Alma is a small town of 9,436 in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,375 and a 7.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Alma stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Alma is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Alma city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 90.3

Alma's overall cost of living index is 90.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Alma costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Alma, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$97,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$738	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	60.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,375	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Alma's violent crime rate is 503.8 per 100,000 residents — 33% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

503.8 /100k

Property Crime

964.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Alma is served primarily by Alma Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Alma, MI	National Avg
School District	Alma Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	24.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Alma sees average highs of 29.1°F in January and 82.2°F in July, with 34.5 inches of annual precipitation and 39.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Alma, MI
Average High — January	29.1°F
Average High — July	82.2°F
Annual Precipitation	34.5"
Annual Snowfall	39.3"

Demographics

Metric	Alma, MI	National Avg
Population	9,436	—
Median Age	32.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	91.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.4%	18.9%
Asian	1.9%	6.3%
Under 18	18.4%	22.2%
65 and over	18.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

St. Louis, MI 3 mi Ithaca, MI 7 mi Elm Hall, MI 9 mi Breckenridge, MI 9 mi Riverdale, MI 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Alma

Alma, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

48801

Alma vs Other Cities

Alma, MI vs St. Louis, MI Alma, MI vs Ithaca, MI Alma, MI vs Elm Hall, MI Alma, MI vs Breckenridge, MI Alma, MI vs Riverdale, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alma, MI affordable or expensive?

Alma's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Alma roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $97,300 and median rent is $738/month.

What is the crime rate in Alma, MI?

Alma's violent crime rate is 503.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 964.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Alma?

Public schools in Alma are operated by Alma Public Schools. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.5:1. 24.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Alma, MI a good place to live?

Alma, MI has a population of 9,436, a median household income of $44,375, and an unemployment rate of 7.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Alma?

Alma averages 29.1°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.5 inches with about 39.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Alma?

Alma, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 48801.

What is the population of Alma?

The population of Alma, Michigan is 9,436 with a median age of 32.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Alma?

Key numbers for living in Alma: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $97,300, median household income $44,375, crime index 98 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Alma side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.