Niles 72 Excellent
Niles Livability #257 ranked city in Michigan#6,249 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Niles

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Niles?

Niles, Michigan is a medium-sized city with a population of 11,521 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 81% of Niles residents are White, 12% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. In Niles, only 42% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.

Living in Niles can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. 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. The best areas in Niles and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Michigan and national averages.

The livability score in Niles is 71 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 78th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Niles ranks well for housing (A+) There are some categories that Niles does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure 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 Niles 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.

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 Niles is actually affordable. The median home price for Niles homes is $158,481, which is 32.8% lower than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Niles, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 12.5% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Niles

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Niles?

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Compare Niles, MI Livability

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      Niles transportation information

      Statistic Niles Michigan National
      Average one way commute22min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.8%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.9%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home2.9%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Niles, 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.