Living in Battle Creek, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Battle Creek · Census data 2020–2024
Battle Creek has 52,374 residents with a median age of 38. The median household income is $55,693 (24% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $141,900, the median rent is $957/month.
Battle Creek at a glance
- Population
- 52,374
- Median age
- 38State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $55,693State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $141,900State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $957/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 66%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.9%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Battle Creek a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Battle Creek
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Battle Creek the median home value is $141,900, 57% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $957 per month, which is 31.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,192 a month in housing costs.
Battle Creek median household income
The median household income in Battle Creek is $55,693 and the income per person is $30,455. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Battle Creek: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 23,600
- Owner-occupied
- 66%
- Renter-occupied
- 34%
- Vacant
- 10.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.43
Battle Creek demographics
- Population
- 52,374
- Median age
- 38
- Under 18
- 24.8%
- 65 and older
- 16.8%
- Households
- 21,128
- Foreign-born
- 7.4%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Battle Creek ›
Education in Battle Creek
21.9% of adults 25 and older in Battle Creek have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Battle Creek
- Unemployment rate
- 7%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 8.5%
- Drive alone
- 77.2%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.5%
Battle Creek vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | 52,374 | $55,693 | $141,900 | $957 |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | $110,800 | $864 |
| Brownlee Park | 1,661 | $31,969 | $83,700 | $591 |
| Level Park-Oak Park | 3,488 | $70,652 | $124,500 | $1,307 |
| Augusta | 776 | $59,500 | $140,600 | $748 |
| Climax | 723 | $85,313 | $208,500 | $833 |
| Galesburg | 2,023 | $52,153 | $120,800 | $903 |
| South Gull Lake | 1,801 | $188,750 | — | $335 |
| Scotts | 237 | $67,054 | $135,500 | — |
More for people moving to Battle Creek
Battle Creek ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Battle Creek: FAQ
What is the median household income in Battle Creek, MI?
The median household income in Battle Creek is $55,693, 24% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Battle Creek?
The median home value in Battle Creek is $141,900, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Battle Creek?
The median gross rent in Battle Creek is $957 per month, about 31.2% of household income.
Is Battle Creek, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
What is the median age in Battle Creek?
The median age in Battle Creek is 38 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Battle Creek?
The average commute to work in Battle Creek is 19 minutes; 8.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Battle Creek?
The unemployment rate in Battle Creek is 7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Battle Creek?
21.9% of adults in Battle Creek have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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