McBain is a small town of 747 in Michigan, with a median household income of $45,000
and a 10.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
McBain 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 McBain is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All McBain 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: 85.9
McBain's overall cost of living index is 85.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in McBain costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
McBain, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$113,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$384
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
McBain'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
McBain is served primarily by McBain Rural Agricultural Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.5:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
McBain, MI
National Avg
School District
McBain Rural Agricultural Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
10.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
McBain sees average highs of 27.3°F in January
and 80.4°F in July,
with 34.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 74.0 inches of snow per year.
McBain's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes McBain roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $113,800 and median rent is $384/month.
McBain'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 McBain are operated by McBain Rural Agricultural Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.5:1. 10.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
McBain, MI has a population of 747, a median household income of $45,000, and an unemployment rate of 10.1%.
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.
McBain averages 27.3°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.3 inches
with about 74.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
McBain, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49657.
The population of McBain, Michigan is 747 with a median age of 44.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in McBain: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $113,800, median household income $45,000, crime index 39 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McBain side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
