Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Alpena, Michigan is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,261 residents. At 96%, the majority of the Alpena population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 0% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Alpena will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 10 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Alpena, Michigan could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Alpena and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Alpena to Michigan and the national average.
Alpena has a livability score of 69 out of 100 and is ranked #337 in Michigan and #8,224 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Alpena ranks well for housing (A+) There are some categories that Alpena scores poorly for, including: amenities (D-), education (D) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Alpena 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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Alpena is actually affordable. The median home price for Alpena homes is $149,268, which is 36.7% lower than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Alpena, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 18.8% lower than the Michigan average.
| Statistic | Alpena | Michigan | National |
| Average one way commute | 10min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.0% | 82.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 1.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.0% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.3% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
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