Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kalamazoo · Census data 2020–2024
Kalamazoo has 73,076 residents with a median age of 26.9. The median household income is $52,272 (28% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $179,000, the median rent is $1,078/month.
Kalamazoo at a glance
- Population
- 73,076
- Median age
- 26.9State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $52,272State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $179,000State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,078/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 42.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.5%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Kalamazoo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Kalamazoo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kalamazoo the median home value is $179,000, 46% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,078 per month, which is 34.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,298 a month in housing costs.
Kalamazoo median household income
The median household income in Kalamazoo is $52,272 and the income per person is $29,341. 24.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Kalamazoo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 32,379
- Owner-occupied
- 42.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.7%
- Vacant
- 8.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 2.25
Kalamazoo demographics
- Population
- 73,076
- Median age
- 26.9
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 11%
- Households
- 29,523
- Foreign-born
- 7.2%
- Veterans
- 4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kalamazoo ›
Education in Kalamazoo
38.5% of adults 25 and older in Kalamazoo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 15.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kalamazoo
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 9.8%
- Drive alone
- 73.2%
- Public transit
- 2.3%
- Walk to work
- 7.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.3%
Kalamazoo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo | 73,076 | $52,272 | $179,000 | $1,078 |
| Westwood | 8,867 | $58,205 | $193,400 | $1,233 |
| Eastwood | 6,669 | $53,977 | $160,600 | $1,065 |
| Parchment | 2,008 | $72,798 | $184,000 | $1,045 |
| Comstock Northwest | 5,391 | $73,475 | $261,100 | $1,080 |
| Portage | 49,259 | $83,212 | $262,300 | $1,133 |
| Galesburg | 2,023 | $52,153 | $120,800 | $903 |
| Richland | 1,098 | $95,104 | $289,300 | $1,375 |
| Scotts | 237 | $67,054 | $135,500 | — |
More for people moving to Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kalamazoo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median household income in Kalamazoo is $52,272, 28% 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 Kalamazoo?
The median home value in Kalamazoo is $179,000, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Kalamazoo?
The median gross rent in Kalamazoo is $1,078 per month, about 34.5% of household income.
Is Kalamazoo, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
What is the median age in Kalamazoo?
The median age in Kalamazoo is 26.9 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Kalamazoo?
The average commute to work in Kalamazoo is 19 minutes; 9.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kalamazoo?
The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kalamazoo?
38.5% of adults in Kalamazoo 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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