Birch Run is a small town of 1,180 in Michigan, with a median household income of $60,172
and a 2.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Birch Run stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Birch Run is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Birch Run 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: 94.2
Birch Run's overall cost of living index is 94.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Birch Run costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Birch Run, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$148,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$920
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
54.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$60,172
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Birch Run's violent crime rate is 260.6 per 100,000 residents
— 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
260.6 /100k
Property Crime
3973.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Birch Run is served primarily by Birch Run Area Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.3:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Birch Run, MI
National Avg
School District
Birch Run Area Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Birch Run sees average highs of 29.1°F in January
and 81.2°F in July,
with 34.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 40.7 inches of snow per year.
Birch Run's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Birch Run roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $148,900 and median rent is $920/month.
Birch Run's violent crime rate is 260.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3973.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Birch Run are operated by Birch Run Area Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.3:1. 15.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Birch Run, MI has a population of 1,180, a median household income of $60,172, and an unemployment rate of 2.6%.
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.
Birch Run averages 29.1°F in January and 81.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.2 inches
with about 40.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Birch Run, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 48415.
The population of Birch Run, Michigan is 1,180 with a median age of 49.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Birch Run: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $148,900, median household income $60,172, crime index 117 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Birch Run side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
