What are the schools like in Ishpeming, MI?

Ishpeming is served primarily by Ishpeming Public School District No. 1. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1.

What is the median household income in Ishpeming?

The median household income in Ishpeming, MI is $53,202 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.7%.

What is the weather like in Ishpeming, MI?

Ishpeming has an average high temperature of 22.1°F in January and 77.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 30.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 196.8 inches.

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

Q: Is Ishpeming, MI affordable or expensive?

Ishpeming's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Ishpeming is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $106,200 and the median rent is $599 per month.

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

Ishpeming has a violent crime rate of 193.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 887.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Ishpeming, MI a Good Place to Live?

Ishpeming is a small town of 6,191 in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,202 and a 7.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

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

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

All Ishpeming 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: 89.1

Ishpeming's overall cost of living index is 89.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Ishpeming costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Ishpeming, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$106,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$599	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	73.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$53,202	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Ishpeming's violent crime rate is 193.7 per 100,000 residents — 49% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

193.7 /100k

Property Crime

887.8 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Ishpeming is served primarily by Ishpeming Public School District No. 1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Ishpeming, MI	National Avg
School District	Ishpeming Public School District No. 1	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	25.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Ishpeming sees average highs of 22.1°F in January and 77.6°F in July, with 30.2 inches of annual precipitation and 196.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Ishpeming, MI
Average High — January	22.1°F
Average High — July	77.6°F
Annual Precipitation	30.2"
Annual Snowfall	196.8"

Demographics

Metric	Ishpeming, MI	National Avg
Population	6,191	—
Median Age	36.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	90.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.2%	22.2%
65 and over	17.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

West Ishpeming, MI 2 mi Negaunee, MI 4 mi Palmer, MI 5 mi Trowbridge Park, MI 13 mi Marquette, MI 14 mi

ZIP Codes in Ishpeming

Ishpeming, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

49849

Ishpeming vs Other Cities

Ishpeming, MI vs West Ishpeming, MI Ishpeming, MI vs Negaunee, MI Ishpeming, MI vs Palmer, MI Ishpeming, MI vs Trowbridge Park, MI Ishpeming, MI vs Marquette, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ishpeming, MI affordable or expensive?

Ishpeming's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Ishpeming roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $106,200 and median rent is $599/month.

What is the crime rate in Ishpeming, MI?

Ishpeming's violent crime rate is 193.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 887.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Ishpeming?

Public schools in Ishpeming are operated by Ishpeming Public School District No. 1. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 25.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Ishpeming, MI a good place to live?

Ishpeming, MI has a population of 6,191, a median household income of $53,202, and an unemployment rate of 7.7%. 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 Ishpeming?

Ishpeming averages 22.1°F in January and 77.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 30.2 inches with about 196.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Ishpeming?

Ishpeming, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49849.

What is the population of Ishpeming?

The population of Ishpeming, Michigan is 6,191 with a median age of 36.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Ishpeming?

Key numbers for living in Ishpeming: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $106,200, median household income $53,202, crime index 47 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ishpeming side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.