Southfield 72 Excellent
Southfield Livability #248 ranked city in Michigan#6,175 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Southfield

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

What's it like Living in Southfield?

Located in the state of Michigan, Southfield is a medium-sized city with a population of 74,641 residents. With a total of 68%, the Black or African American racial group makes up the majority of the population in Southfield. The next most represented races are 23% White and 2% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 44% of the Southfield population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Southfield your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Southfield, 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. With useful information like amenities, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Southfield and in the areas around Southfield is a much easier task.

The livability score in Southfield is 71 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 79th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Southfield has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+). There are some categories that Southfield does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Southfield has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Southfield 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 Southfield. Median real estate prices in Southfield come in at $290,871, which is 23.4% higher than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Southfield, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 3.1% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Southfield

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Compare Southfield, MI Livability

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      Southfield transportation information

      Statistic Southfield Michigan National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.6%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.2%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.2%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home6.0%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Southfield, 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.