Living in Buena Vista, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Buena Vista · Census data 2020–2024
Buena Vista has 5,798 residents with a median age of 40.2. The median household income is $41,999 (42% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $62,000, the median rent is $906/month.
Buena Vista at a glance
- Population
- 5,798
- Median age
- 40.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $41,999State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $62,000State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $906/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 72.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.1%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Buena Vista a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 42% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 20.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Buena Vista
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Buena Vista the median home value is $62,000, 81% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $906 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $847 a month in housing costs.
Buena Vista median household income
The median household income in Buena Vista is $41,999 and the income per person is $21,466. 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Buena Vista: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,926
- Owner-occupied
- 72.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.7%
- Vacant
- 21.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.52
Buena Vista demographics
- Population
- 5,798
- Median age
- 40.2
- Under 18
- 26.5%
- 65 and older
- 21.7%
- Households
- 2,297
- Foreign-born
- 2.4%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Buena Vista ›
Education in Buena Vista
11.1% of adults 25 and older in Buena Vista have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 4.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Buena Vista
- Unemployment rate
- 8.7%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 9.1%
- Drive alone
- 67%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.2%
Buena Vista vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | $62,000 | $906 |
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | $60,000 | $922 |
| Bridgeport | 6,884 | $51,071 | $98,800 | $710 |
| Robin Glen-Indiantown | 660 | $32,292 | — | $1,213 |
| Zilwaukee | 1,609 | $57,756 | $95,300 | $1,195 |
| Shields | 7,402 | $82,125 | $174,500 | $941 |
| Frankenmuth | 5,157 | $85,433 | $300,500 | $851 |
| Reese | 1,274 | $82,361 | $174,700 | $879 |
| Bay City | 32,320 | $49,420 | $97,600 | $766 |
More for people moving to Buena Vista
Buena Vista ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Buena Vista: FAQ
What is the median household income in Buena Vista, MI?
The median household income in Buena Vista is $41,999, 42% 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 Buena Vista?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $62,000, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Buena Vista?
The median gross rent in Buena Vista is $906 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Buena Vista, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 42% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 20.4%.
What is the median age in Buena Vista?
The median age in Buena Vista is 40.2 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Buena Vista?
The average commute to work in Buena Vista is 20 minutes; 9.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Buena Vista?
The unemployment rate in Buena Vista is 8.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Buena Vista?
11.1% of adults in Buena Vista 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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