C

Three Oaks, MI

Source:

Affordability Score: 59/100

Population: 3,715 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Three Oaks, MI aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 3,715 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (59/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $67,398, median home value of $258,300, median rent of $1,034 per month, and 27.5% 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 $1,184 per month (studio $816, 1BR $902, 3BR $1,556, 4BR $1,568). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $7,131 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 Three Oaks, MI include rent. Unemployment currently reads 3.0% and poverty 7.2% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$67,398
Median household income
Education D
27.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.8x
Home value $258,300 vs income
Commute B-
22 min
Average commute time
Rent B+
$1,184/mo
2BR fair market rent (21% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B
$7,131/yr
Center-based infant care (11% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$67,398
▲ 9% vs national
Per Capita Income
$44,502
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Poverty Rate
7.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
$258,300
▼ 6% vs national
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
Owner Occupied
83.1%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,184/mo
▼ 1% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$816
1BR
$902
2BR
$1,184
3BR
$1,556
4BR
$1,568

Safety

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

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
27.5%
▼ 2 ppt vs national
High School+
61.7%
Median Age
49.4
Avg. Commute
22 min
▼ 4 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$7,131/yr
11% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,131/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,933/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,314/yr

What This Means

Three Oaks, MI receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 3,715. This area performs well in rent. 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 Three Oaks, MI affordable?
Three Oaks, MI receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $67,398. Median home value is $258,300.
What is the cost of living in Three Oaks?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,034/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,184/mo. Infant childcare $7,131/yr. Median home value $258,300.
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 →