C-

Memphis, MI

Source:

Affordability Score: 50/100

Population: 4,561 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Memphis, MI aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 4,561 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (50/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $75,677, median home value of $316,500, median rent of $938 per month, and 18.1% 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 $8,441 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. Pressure points are education, housing, commute. Unemployment currently reads 2.4% and poverty 8.3% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$75,677
Median household income
Education F
18.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
4.2x
Home value $316,500 vs income
Commute F
35 min
Average commute time
Rent B
$1,411/mo
2BR fair market rent (22% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B-
$8,441/yr
Center-based infant care (11% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$75,677
▲ 22% vs national
Per Capita Income
$41,964
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Poverty Rate
8.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
$316,500
▲ 15% vs national
Median Rent
$938/mo
Owner Occupied
89.1%
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+
18.1%
▼ 12 ppt vs national
High School+
50.6%
Median Age
47.5
Avg. Commute
35 min
▲ 9 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$8,441/yr
11% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,441/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,490/yr
School-Age (Center)
$7,660/yr

What This Means

Memphis, MI receives an overall affordability grade of C- (50/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 4,561. Challenges include education and housing and commute. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Memphis, MI affordable?
Memphis, MI receives an overall affordability grade of C- (50/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $75,677. Median home value is $316,500.
What is the cost of living in Memphis?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $938/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,411/mo. Infant childcare $8,441/yr. Median home value $316,500.
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 →