What are the schools like in Benzonia, MI?

Benzonia is served primarily by Benzie County Central Schools. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.4:1.

What is the median household income in Benzonia?

The median household income in Benzonia, MI is $64,107 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.4%.

What is the weather like in Benzonia, MI?

Benzonia has an average high temperature of 28.6°F in January and 77.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 37.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 93.0 inches.

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

Q: Is Benzonia, MI affordable or expensive?

Benzonia's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Benzonia is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $167,500 and the median rent is $775 per month.

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

Benzonia has a violent crime rate of 73.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 512.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Benzonia, MI a Good Place to Live?

Benzonia is a small town of 679 in Michigan, with a median household income of $64,107 and a 8.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

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

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

All Benzonia 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: 93.4

Benzonia's overall cost of living index is 93.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Benzonia costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Benzonia, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$167,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$775	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	86.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$64,107	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Benzonia's violent crime rate is 73.2 per 100,000 residents — 81% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

73.2 /100k

Property Crime

512.2 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Benzonia is served primarily by Benzie County Central Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Benzonia, MI	National Avg
School District	Benzie County Central Schools	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	16.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	32.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Benzonia sees average highs of 28.6°F in January and 77.4°F in July, with 37.5 inches of annual precipitation and 93.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Benzonia, MI
Average High — January	28.6°F
Average High — July	77.4°F
Annual Precipitation	37.5"
Annual Snowfall	93.0"

Demographics

Metric	Benzonia, MI	National Avg
Population	679	—
Median Age	46.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	13.1%	22.2%
65 and over	17.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Beulah, MI 1 mi Honor, MI 5 mi Elberta, MI 7 mi Frankfort, MI 7 mi Crystal Mountain, MI 8 mi

ZIP Codes in Benzonia

Benzonia, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

49616

Benzonia vs Other Cities

Benzonia, MI vs Beulah, MI Benzonia, MI vs Honor, MI Benzonia, MI vs Elberta, MI Benzonia, MI vs Frankfort, MI Benzonia, MI vs Crystal Mountain, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benzonia, MI affordable or expensive?

Benzonia's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Benzonia roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $167,500 and median rent is $775/month.

What is the crime rate in Benzonia, MI?

Benzonia's violent crime rate is 73.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 512.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Benzonia?

Public schools in Benzonia are operated by Benzie County Central Schools. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1. 32.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Benzonia, MI a good place to live?

Benzonia, MI has a population of 679, a median household income of $64,107, and an unemployment rate of 8.4%. 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 Benzonia?

Benzonia averages 28.6°F in January and 77.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.5 inches with about 93.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Benzonia?

Benzonia, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49616.

What is the population of Benzonia?

The population of Benzonia, Michigan is 679 with a median age of 46.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Benzonia?

Key numbers for living in Benzonia: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $167,500, median household income $64,107, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Benzonia side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.