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Kalamazoo

#5 in Best Places to Live in Kalamazoo Area
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • Town in Michigan
  • 234 reviews
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B
    2. Crime & Safety
      C
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      B+
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      C-
    9. Cost of Living
      B+
    10. Health & Fitness
      B
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A-
    12. Commute
      A
    View Full Report Card
    Kalamazoo is a town in Michigan with a population of 75,833. Kalamazoo is in Kalamazoo County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Kalamazoo offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Kalamazoo there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many young professionals live in Kalamazoo and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Kalamazoo are above average.
    Population
    75,833

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $99,300
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $743
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Urban Suburban Mix
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      55%
    • Own
      45%
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    Kalamazoo Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      953.7
      282.7
    • Murder
      9.2
      6.1
    • Rape
      153.9
      40.7
    • Robbery
      209.2
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      1,107.6
      500.1
    • Theft
      3,480.7
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      443.3
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      11%
    • 10-17 years
      9%
    • 18-24 years
      28%
    • 25-34 years
      14%
    • 35-44 years
      11%
    • 45-54 years
      8%
    • 55-64 years
      9%
    • 65+ years
      10%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      15%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      19%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      35%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      21%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      10%
      13%

    Working in Kalamazoo

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $37,438
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Kalamazoo
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    Kalamazoo Reviews

    234 reviews
    All Categories
    I attend Western Michigan University and have gotten the chance to explore a lot of what Kalamazoo has to offer. From the old 1900s architecture of Vine-street to Bell's Eccentric Cafe and Brewery, Kalamazoo gives the feeling of new growth and potential for a fun city to explore. Many new small businesses have been popping up downtown and have changed the atmosphere of the city. It has an indie vibe that reminds me of Grand Rapids but is connected between Chicago and Detroit by the railway which makes it a true Constantinople of Michigan; A crossroads for ideas and culture that is unmatched throughout the Midwest. There is a lot of progress to be made, but Kalamazoo has stolen my heart. I cannot wait to see how the city will grow in the future!
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    Kalamazoo is a wonderful place to live! It has all the amenities found in a much bigger city without losing the charm offered by small towns. The downtown area is constantly evolving and offers a host of restaurants, breweries, shopping, and many other fun things to do and is built around an outdoor mall model, making it incredibly pedestrian friendly. Being home to several colleges, Kalamazoo always seems to have something going on. Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College are conveniently placed in the center of the city, between downtown and the shopping areas, making the campuses incredibly commuter friendly. College students are able to ride the bus for free and the city has an extensive route system. The Vine Neighborhood between campus and downtown hosts some of the best coffee and food in town and is a bustling art community and staple in the local music scene.
    I like how the college students and the rest of the town seem to be separated from each other. I think it keeps a nice balance for families and for students. Which brings me to the housing situation, if you are interested in student housing that is readily available and very easy to find. They have lots of flexible leasing options as well. Then when and if you decide to you are done with that scene they have affordable housing options available in decent neighborhoods throughout town including lofts downtown. The roads are easy to navigate and if you are looking for a city feel with a homey vibe kalamazoo is the town for you!