Below Average CostHigh CrimeKalamazoo Public Schools
Kalamazoo · User Mxobe on en.wikipedia / Public domainLabadie's souvenir of picturesque Kalamazoo (IA 3125273.0001.001.umich.edu) · Wikimedia Commons / Public domainNorth Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainAcademy Street, Kalamazoo, MI · Star Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan / Public domain
Kalamazoo is a mid-sized city of 73,342 in Michigan, with a median household income of $48,649
and a 8.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100), which is
5% below the national average.
Strengths:
Kalamazoo stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Kalamazoo is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Kalamazoo 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: 94.8
Kalamazoo's overall cost of living index is 94.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Kalamazoo costs roughly 5% less than the average American city.
Metric
Kalamazoo, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$152,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$974
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
43.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,649
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Kalamazoo's violent crime rate is 1283.5 per 100,000 residents
— 238% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1283.5 /100k
Property Crime
3447.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Kalamazoo is served primarily by Kalamazoo Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Kalamazoo, MI
National Avg
School District
Kalamazoo Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
17
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
10
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
37.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Kalamazoo sees average highs of 31.5°F in January
and 83.1°F in July,
with 33.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 64.6 inches of snow per year.
Kalamazoo's cost of living index is 95, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Kalamazoo roughly 5% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $152,700 and median rent is $974/month.
Kalamazoo's violent crime rate is 1283.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3447.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Kalamazoo are operated by Kalamazoo Public Schools.
The district has 17 elementary, 4 middle, and 10 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Kalamazoo, MI has a population of 73,342, a median household income of $48,649, and an unemployment rate of 8.1%.
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.
Kalamazoo averages 31.5°F in January and 83.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.2 inches
with about 64.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Kalamazoo, MI is covered by 7 ZIP codes: 49001, 49008, 49006, 49007, 49004, 49009, 49074.
The population of Kalamazoo, Michigan is 73,342 with a median age of 25.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Kalamazoo: cost of living index 95 (100 = US average), median home $152,700, median household income $48,649, crime index 268 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Kalamazoo side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
