St. Joseph 75 Excellent
St. Joseph Livability #154 ranked city in Michigan#3,828 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in St. Joseph

PROS
  • 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.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

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.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in St. Joseph?

St. Joseph, Michigan is a small city with a population of 8,505 residents. According to the most recent Census, 86% of St. Joseph residents are White, 5% Asian and 4% Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, St. Joseph is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, significantly lower than the national average 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 good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in St. Joseph, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in St. Joseph and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare St. Joseph to Michigan and the national average.

The livability score in St. Joseph is 78 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 91st percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, St. Joseph ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that St. Joseph also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, St. Joseph has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B), cost of living (A+), education (A-), employment (B+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, St. Joseph does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The unemployment rate in St. Joseph has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.3%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in St. Joseph can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph. Median real estate prices in St. Joseph come in at $371,259, which is 57.4% higher than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In St. Joseph, the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 28.1% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Joseph

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Compare St. Joseph, MI Livability

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      St. Joseph transportation information

      Statistic St. Joseph Michigan National
      Average one way commute15min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.9%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.4%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home6.6%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The St. Joseph, 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.