Battle Creek, Michigan
Among the top 7% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B, better than 53% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 75% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 14% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 93% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 34% of US places
- top 9% for natural disaster risk
- top 12% for commute time
- bottom 2% for air quality
Battle Creek is a mid-size city in Michigan with about 52,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include natural disaster risk, commute time, and sales tax. It rates lower on violent crime and air quality.
Official websitebattlecreekmi.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
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cool
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66%25%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.4 in1.4 in
humid 81%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$50k27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$43kbetter than 83% of US places
Home Value$116k32nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$879better than 54% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 69% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.73%better than 17% of US places
Income Tax5.30%better than 42% of US places
State 4.30% + Local 1.00%
Sales Tax6.00%better than 86% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.31%better than 33% of US places
Unemployment7.6%better than 22% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)24°F21st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)73°F27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation31.5 in25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall64.6 inbetter than 8% of US places
Sunny Days251 daysbetter than 68% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 66% of US places
Comfortable Days97 daysbetter than 82% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk28.8better than 91% of US places
Air Quality57 AQIbetter than 2% of US places
School Quality65.8better than 60% of US places
Violent Crime3037/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Property Crime2695/100kbetter than 9% of US places
Community
Population52,46997th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.031st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5386th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9542nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1137th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)63.5%25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)16.2%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)8.1%68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.7%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)7.6%83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 88% of US places
Walkability8.3/20better than 77% of US places
Airport Distance43 mibetter than 73% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.8%better than 52% of US places
Amenities Nearby20.77better than 22% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 55% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Battle Creek an affordable place to live?
- Battle Creek is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $43k, better than 83% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Battle Creek?
- The median home value in Battle Creek is $116k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Battle Creek?
- Median household income in Battle Creek is $50k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Battle Creek?
- Median gross rent in Battle Creek is $879 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Battle Creek safe?
- Battle Creek is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 3037/100k (better than 2%). Property crime is 2695/100k.
- What is the weather like in Battle Creek?
- Battle Creek averages 73°F in July and 24°F in January, with 31.5 in of annual precipitation and about 251 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Battle Creek?
- Public-school quality in Battle Creek is above average, scoring better than 60% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Battle Creek?
- The average one-way commute in Battle Creek is 19 min.
Places near Battle Creek
Compare Battle Creek
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)