Waldron is a small town of 605 in Michigan, with a median household income of $51,964
and a 7.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Waldron 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 Waldron is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Waldron 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: 90.5
Waldron's overall cost of living index is 90.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Waldron costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Waldron, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$71,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$907
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
73.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,964
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Waldron's violent crime rate is 210.5 per 100,000 residents
— 45% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
210.5 /100k
Property Crime
701.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Waldron is served primarily by Waldron Area Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Waldron, MI
National Avg
School District
Waldron Area Schools
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Waldron sees average highs of 32.9°F in January
and 85.5°F in July,
with 36.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 32.0 inches of snow per year.
Waldron's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Waldron roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $71,900 and median rent is $907/month.
Waldron's violent crime rate is 210.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 701.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Waldron are operated by Waldron Area Schools.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1. 8.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Waldron, MI has a population of 605, a median household income of $51,964, and an unemployment rate of 7.8%.
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.
Waldron averages 32.9°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.9 inches
with about 32.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Waldron, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49288.
The population of Waldron, Michigan is 605 with a median age of 39.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Waldron: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $71,900, median household income $51,964, crime index 47 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Waldron side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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