Buchanan is a small town of 4,276 in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,328
and a 1.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Buchanan stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Buchanan is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Buchanan 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: 93.0
Buchanan's overall cost of living index is 93.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Buchanan costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Buchanan, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$138,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$827
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
56.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,328
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Buchanan's violent crime rate is 240.6 per 100,000 residents
— 37% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
240.6 /100k
Property Crime
1660.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Buchanan is served primarily by Buchanan Community Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.9:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Buchanan, MI
National Avg
School District
Buchanan Community Schools
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Buchanan sees average highs of 32.9°F in January
and 83.3°F in July,
with 41.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 62.5 inches of snow per year.
Buchanan's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Buchanan roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $138,500 and median rent is $827/month.
Buchanan's violent crime rate is 240.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1660.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Buchanan are operated by Buchanan Community Schools.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.9:1. 20.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Buchanan, MI has a population of 4,276, a median household income of $53,328, and an unemployment rate of 1.2%.
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.
Buchanan averages 32.9°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.5 inches
with about 62.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Buchanan, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49107.
The population of Buchanan, Michigan is 4,276 with a median age of 39.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Buchanan: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $138,500, median household income $53,328, crime index 70 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Buchanan side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
