Houghton 77 Exceptional
Houghton Livability #118 ranked city in Michigan#2,903 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Houghton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

What's it like Living in Houghton?

Houghton is a smaller city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 8,076 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Houghton is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Houghton residents is 22. In Houghton, only 22% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Houghton will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 13 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Living in Houghton can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Michigan, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Houghton, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, employment and more.

Houghton has a livability score of 77/100 and is ranked #122 in Michigan and #2,790 in the USA. Based on this score, Houghton would be considered a very livable city! Houghton also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Houghton ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and education (A+). On a more negative note, Houghton does not have favorable scores for the following: employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Houghton gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 35 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Houghton, the average school test scores are an impressive 67%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Houghton is real estate affordability. The median home price for Houghton homes is $309,268, which is 31.2% higher than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Houghton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.4, which is 193.8% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Houghton

See all the best places to live around Houghton

How Do You Rate The Livability In Houghton?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Houghton, MI Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Houghton transportation information

      Statistic Houghton Michigan National
      Average one way commute13min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work52.4%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.6%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk36.8%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home3.9%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Houghton, 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.