St. Joseph 78 Exceptional
St. Joseph Livability #99 ranked city in Michigan#2,349 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Joseph

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

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What's it like Living in St. Joseph?

St. Joseph is a small city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 8,328 people. At 86%, the majority of the St. Joseph population is White; this is followed by 5% Asian and 4% Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in St. Joseph. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in St. Joseph, Michigan. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in St. Joseph and in the areas around St. Joseph is a much easier task.

St. Joseph, MI receives 77 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #108 in Michigan and #2,269 in the USA. Compared to the national average, St. Joseph ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that St. Joseph also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that St. Joseph has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A-), cost of living (A+), education (A-), employment (B) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in St. Joseph. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In St. Joseph, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.24% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. St. Joseph excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that St. Joseph meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in St. Joseph. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in St. Joseph are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in St. Joseph come in at $205,600, which is 60.9% higher than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In St. Joseph, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 36% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Joseph

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How Do You Rate The Livability In St. Joseph?

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Compare St. Joseph, MI Livability

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      St. Joseph transportation information

      Statistic St. Joseph Michigan National
      Average one way commute15min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.9%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.4%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home6.6%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The St. Joseph, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).