B

Clawson, MI

Source:

Affordability Score: 73/100

Population: 11,805 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Clawson, MI aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 11,805 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of B (73/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $88,812, median home value of $267,500, median rent of $1,254 per month, and 45.8% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,411 per month (studio $1,009, 1BR $1,122, 3BR $1,724, 4BR $1,868). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $10,211 per year, consuming 11% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Clawson, MI include income, education, rent. Unemployment currently reads 4.9% and poverty 5.7% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B+
$88,812
Median household income
Education B+
45.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing B-
3.0x
Home value $267,500 vs income
Commute B-
22 min
Average commute time
Rent A-
$1,411/mo
2BR fair market rent (19% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B-
$10,211/yr
Center-based infant care (11% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$88,812
▲ 43% vs national
Per Capita Income
$52,175
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Poverty Rate
5.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
$267,500
▼ 3% vs national
Median Rent
$1,254/mo
Owner Occupied
75.4%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,411/mo
▲ 18% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,009
1BR
$1,122
2BR
$1,411
3BR
$1,724
4BR
$1,868

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
45.8%
▲ 16 ppt vs national
High School+
66.7%
Median Age
39.3
Avg. Commute
22 min
▼ 4 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$10,211/yr
11% of income
Toddler (Center)
$10,211/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,206/yr
School-Age (Center)
$8,244/yr

What This Means

Clawson, MI receives an overall affordability grade of B (73/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 11,805. This area performs well in income and education and rent. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Clawson ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Clawson, MI affordable?
Clawson, MI receives an overall affordability grade of B (73/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $88,812. Median home value is $267,500.
What is the cost of living in Clawson?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,254/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,411/mo. Infant childcare $10,211/yr. Median home value $267,500.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →