Benton Harbor, MI

Census place 2607520 · pop 8,953

F31/ 100
💀 Bad
F
in MI
📍 Michigan ranks #42 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$76,500 · top 1%
🚽 Obesity56.2% · bottom 1%
Taxes
1.19% property · US 0.99%6.00% sales · US 7.00%4.25% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Adult obesity56.2%0

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

56.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Adult smoking28.0%0

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

28.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Physical inactivity46.4%0

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

46.4% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Violent crime rate1869/100k0

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

1869 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Median household income$31,1170

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$31,117 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Poor mental health24.6%0

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

24.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Poverty rate40.1%0

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

40.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Bachelor's degree or higher7.4%1

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

7.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Property crime rate6137/100k1

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

6137 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Broadband access78.6%3

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

78.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Homeownership36.7%3

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

36.7% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Population growth (5yr)-9.0%3

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-9.0% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Income inequality0.527

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.52 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Unemployment rateCounty-level5.5%7

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

5.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults14.1%21

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

14.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Property-tax burden1.19%40

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.19% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Air quality (AQI)County-level41 AQI62

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

41 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level1 days62

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

1 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level67/10078

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

67/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time18 min86

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

18 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Rent$1,004/mo96

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,004/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Housing cost$76,50099

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$76,500 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Frequently asked

Is Benton Harbor, MI a good place to live?
By the numbers, Benton Harbor scores 31/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is adult obesity. Michigan overall ranks #42 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Benton Harbor, MI?
Benton Harbor reports 1869 violent crimes per 100k and 6137 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Benton Harbor, MI expensive to live in?
Benton Harbor has a median home value of $76,500 and typical rent around $1,004/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Benton Harbor, MI?
Its weakest measured area is adult obesity (56.2%) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Benton Harbor, MI best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($76,500) — 99/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.