Fair Plain is a small town of 6,882 in Michigan, with a median household income of $50,170
and a 20.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fair Plain stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fair Plain is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fair Plain 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: 93.9
Fair Plain's overall cost of living index is 93.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fair Plain costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fair Plain, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$141,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$911
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,170
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Fair Plain's violent crime rate is 262.1 per 100,000 residents
— 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
262.1 /100k
Property Crime
1045.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fair Plain is served primarily by Benton Harbor Area Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fair Plain, MI
National Avg
School District
Benton Harbor Area Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fair Plain sees average highs of 33.2°F in January
and 83.1°F in July,
with 38.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 77.7 inches of snow per year.
Fair Plain's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fair Plain roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $141,400 and median rent is $911/month.
Fair Plain's violent crime rate is 262.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1045.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fair Plain are operated by Benton Harbor Area Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fair Plain, MI has a population of 6,882, a median household income of $50,170, and an unemployment rate of 20.5%.
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.
Fair Plain averages 33.2°F in January and 83.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.2 inches
with about 77.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fair Plain, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49022.
The population of Fair Plain, Michigan is 6,882 with a median age of 43.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fair Plain: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $141,400, median household income $50,170, crime index 61 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fair Plain side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
