Buena Vista 59 Below average
Buena Vista Livability #615 ranked city in Michigan#20,603 ranked city in the USARanks better than 29% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Buena Vista

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 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.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment 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.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Buena Vista?

Buena Vista, Michigan is a small city with a population of 6,653 inhabitants. In Buena Vista, the most common ethnic group is Black or African American with a total of 77%. This is followed by 17% White and 0% Asian ethnic groups. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Buena Vista, only 42% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Buena Vista. With an average one way commute time of only 20 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 Buena Vista, 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. The best areas in Buena Vista and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Michigan and national averages.

Buena Vista, MI receives 58 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #611 in Michigan and #20,186 in the USA. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Buena Vista ranks well for housing (B+). There are some categories that Buena Vista scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Buena Vista apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Buena Vista real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Buena Vista. The median home price for Buena Vista homes is $70,213, which is 70.2% lower than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Buena Vista, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.4, which is 56.3% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Buena Vista

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Compare Buena Vista, MI Livability

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      Buena Vista transportation information

      Statistic Buena Vista Michigan National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.7%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.1%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home0.0%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Buena Vista, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.