Ishpeming 65 Good
Ishpeming Livability #448 ranked city in Michigan#12,571 ranked city in the USARanks better than 57% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Ishpeming

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

What's it like Living in Ishpeming?

Ishpeming is a small-sized city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 6,630 residents. At 94%, the majority of the Ishpeming population is White; this is followed by 2% Black and 1% Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Ishpeming. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Ishpeming could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Michigan if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ishpeming and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ishpeming to Michigan and the national average.

With a livability score of 65/100, Ishpeming is ranked #11,886 in the United States and #445 in Michigan. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Ishpeming has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Ishpeming does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Ishpeming shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 194 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Ishpeming market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 Ishpeming is real estate affordability. The median home price for Ishpeming homes is $163,412, which is 30.7% lower than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ishpeming, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 25% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ishpeming

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Ishpeming?

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Compare Ishpeming, MI Livability

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      Ishpeming transportation information

      Statistic Ishpeming Michigan National
      Average one way commute19min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.3%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.4%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.2%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home5.4%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Ishpeming, 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.