Pontiac 64 Average
Pontiac Livability #499 ranked city in Michigan#14,703 ranked city in the USARanks better than 49% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Pontiac

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • 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.

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.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Pontiac?

Located in the state of Michigan, Pontiac is a medium-sized city with a population of 61,764 inhabitants. Pontiac has a population density of 3,099 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Pontiac is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (35%) and Black or African American (50%). Pontiac is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 34% married, this city falls well below the national average.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Pontiac, 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Pontiac, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing and more.

The livability score in Pontiac is 64 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 55th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Pontiac ranks well for housing (A+) On a less positive note, Pontiac does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out 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. Pontiac 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.

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 Pontiac is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Pontiac come in at $133,714, which is 43.3% lower than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Pontiac, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 18.8% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Pontiac

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Pontiac?

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Compare Pontiac, MI Livability

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      Pontiac transportation information

      Statistic Pontiac Michigan National
      Average one way commute22min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.4%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool19.0%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Pontiac, 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.