Lake City is a small town of 702 in Michigan, with a median household income of $57,868
and a 6.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lake City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lake City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lake City 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: 91.1
Lake City's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lake City costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lake City, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$137,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$658
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$57,868
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lake City's violent crime rate is 172.0 per 100,000 residents
— 55% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
172.0 /100k
Property Crime
615.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lake City is served primarily by Lake City Area School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lake City, MI
National Avg
School District
Lake City Area School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lake City sees average highs of 27.3°F in January
and 80.4°F in July,
with 33.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 74.0 inches of snow per year.
Lake City's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lake City roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $137,500 and median rent is $658/month.
Lake City's violent crime rate is 172.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 615.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lake City are operated by Lake City Area School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. 24.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lake City, MI has a population of 702, a median household income of $57,868, and an unemployment rate of 6.8%.
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.
Lake City averages 27.3°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.4 inches
with about 74.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Lake City, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49651.
The population of Lake City, Michigan is 702 with a median age of 36.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lake City: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $137,500, median household income $57,868, crime index 39 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lake City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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