What are the schools like in Niles, MI?

Niles is served primarily by Niles Community Schools. The district operates 4 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.3:1.

What is the median household income in Niles?

The median household income in Niles, MI is $42,181 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 12.1%.

What is the weather like in Niles, MI?

Niles has an average high temperature of 32.9°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 62.5 inches.

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

Q: Is Niles, MI affordable or expensive?

Niles's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Niles is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $102,500 and the median rent is $800 per month.

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

Niles has a violent crime rate of 475.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1876.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Niles, MI a Good Place to Live?

Niles is a small city of 11,871 in Michigan, with a median household income of $42,181 and a 12.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Niles 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 Niles is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Niles 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: 91.2

Niles's overall cost of living index is 91.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Niles costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Niles, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$102,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$800	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	61.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$42,181	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Niles's violent crime rate is 475.5 per 100,000 residents — 25% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

475.5 /100k

Property Crime

1876.2 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Niles is served primarily by Niles Community Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.3:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Niles, MI	National Avg
School District	Niles Community Schools	—
Elementary Schools	4	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	19.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	17.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Niles sees average highs of 32.9°F in January and 83.3°F in July, with 41.7 inches of annual precipitation and 62.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Niles, MI
Average High — January	32.9°F
Average High — July	83.3°F
Annual Precipitation	41.7"
Annual Snowfall	62.5"

Demographics

Metric	Niles, MI	National Avg
Population	11,871	—
Median Age	38.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	12.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	25.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	78.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	13.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.2%	6.3%
Under 18	20.9%	22.2%
65 and over	18.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Buchanan, MI 6 mi Roseland, IN 8 mi Indian Village, IN 8 mi Granger, IN 9 mi Edwardsburg, MI 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Niles

Niles, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

49120

Niles vs Other Cities

Niles, MI vs Buchanan, MI Niles, MI vs Roseland, IN Niles, MI vs Indian Village, IN Niles, MI vs Granger, IN Niles, MI vs Edwardsburg, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Niles, MI affordable or expensive?

Niles's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Niles roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $102,500 and median rent is $800/month.

What is the crime rate in Niles, MI?

Niles's violent crime rate is 475.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1876.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Niles?

Public schools in Niles are operated by Niles Community Schools. The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.3:1. 17.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Niles, MI a good place to live?

Niles, MI has a population of 11,871, a median household income of $42,181, and an unemployment rate of 12.1%. 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.

What is the weather like in Niles?

Niles averages 32.9°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.7 inches with about 62.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Niles?

Niles, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49120.

What is the population of Niles?

The population of Niles, Michigan is 11,871 with a median age of 38.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Niles?

Key numbers for living in Niles: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $102,500, median household income $42,181, crime index 111 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Niles side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.