What are the schools like in Gaines, MI?

Gaines is served primarily by Swartz Creek Community Schools. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.7:1.

What is the median household income in Gaines?

The median household income in Gaines, MI is $63,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.9%.

What is the weather like in Gaines, MI?

Gaines has an average high temperature of 30.7°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 33.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 52.1 inches.

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

Q: Is Gaines, MI affordable or expensive?

Gaines's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Gaines is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $125,900 and the median rent is $725 per month.

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

Gaines has a violent crime rate of 346.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 674.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Gaines, MI a Good Place to Live?

Gaines is a small town of 432 in Michigan, with a median household income of $63,750 and a 6.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Gaines stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.

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

All Gaines 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: 89.8

Gaines's overall cost of living index is 89.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Gaines costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Gaines, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$125,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$725	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	89.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$63,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Gaines's violent crime rate is 346.5 per 100,000 residents — 9% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

346.5 /100k

Property Crime

674.7 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Gaines is served primarily by Swartz Creek Community Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.7:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Gaines, MI	National Avg
School District	Swartz Creek Community Schools	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	11.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Gaines sees average highs of 30.7°F in January and 83.3°F in July, with 33.5 inches of annual precipitation and 52.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Gaines, MI
Average High — January	30.7°F
Average High — July	83.3°F
Annual Precipitation	33.5"
Annual Snowfall	52.1"

Demographics

Metric	Gaines, MI	National Avg
Population	432	—
Median Age	47.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	33.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	25.7%	22.2%
65 and over	21.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Byron, MI 4 mi Durand, MI 5 mi Argentine, MI 7 mi Linden, MI 8 mi Vernon, MI 8 mi

ZIP Codes in Gaines

Gaines, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

48436

Gaines vs Other Cities

Gaines, MI vs Byron, MI Gaines, MI vs Durand, MI Gaines, MI vs Argentine, MI Gaines, MI vs Linden, MI Gaines, MI vs Vernon, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaines, MI affordable or expensive?

Gaines's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Gaines roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $125,900 and median rent is $725/month.

What is the crime rate in Gaines, MI?

Gaines's violent crime rate is 346.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 674.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Gaines?

Public schools in Gaines are operated by Swartz Creek Community Schools. The district has 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.7:1. 11.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Gaines, MI a good place to live?

Gaines, MI has a population of 432, a median household income of $63,750, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%. 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 Gaines?

Gaines averages 30.7°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.5 inches with about 52.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Gaines?

Gaines, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 48436.

What is the population of Gaines?

The population of Gaines, Michigan is 432 with a median age of 47.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Gaines?

Key numbers for living in Gaines: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $125,900, median household income $63,750, crime index 68 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gaines side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.