Branch County's composite score of 68.1 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 36%, confirming above-average livability by U.S. standards. This solid performance reflects particular strength in housing affordability relative to national norms. Branch ranks among America's more livable counties despite Michigan's competitive landscape.
2 / 5
Virtually Tied With Michigan Average
Branch County scores 68.1 compared to Michigan's 68.7 state average—nearly perfect alignment with statewide performance. This makes Branch a representative Michigan county, offering typical state-level livability. Residents experience conditions consistent with the state's median quality of life.
3 / 5
Exceptional Affordability Throughout
Branch County excels with a Cost Score of 79.4, offering some of Michigan's lowest housing costs: median home values of just $147,500 and rents of $900/month. The Tax Score of 67.7 with an effective rate of 1.229% adds further affordability appeal. This exceptional value proposition attracts budget-conscious homebuyers and families stretching limited resources.
4 / 5
Lower Income Potential and Data Gaps
Branch County's Income Score of 23.8 reflects a median household income of $61,958, suggesting limited local earning opportunities for ambitious professionals. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions leave important livability questions unanswered. Prospective residents should investigate these gaps before relocating.
5 / 5
Best for Affordability-First Residents
Branch County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families for whom ultra-low housing costs outweigh concerns about local income growth. Its exceptional affordability creates strong value for those with stable, external income sources. Branch offers maximum housing purchasing power for Michigan budget shoppers.
Branch County's composite score of 68.1 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 36%, confirming above-average livability by U.S. standards. This solid performance reflects particular strength in housing affordability relative to national norms. Branch ranks among America's more livable counties despite Michigan's competitive landscape.
Virtually Tied With Michigan Average
Branch County scores 68.1 compared to Michigan's 68.7 state average—nearly perfect alignment with statewide performance. This makes Branch a representative Michigan county, offering typical state-level livability. Residents experience conditions consistent with the state's median quality of life.
Exceptional Affordability Throughout
Branch County excels with a Cost Score of 79.4, offering some of Michigan's lowest housing costs: median home values of just $147,500 and rents of $900/month. The Tax Score of 67.7 with an effective rate of 1.229% adds further affordability appeal. This exceptional value proposition attracts budget-conscious homebuyers and families stretching limited resources.
Lower Income Potential and Data Gaps
Branch County's Income Score of 23.8 reflects a median household income of $61,958, suggesting limited local earning opportunities for ambitious professionals. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions leave important livability questions unanswered. Prospective residents should investigate these gaps before relocating.
Best for Affordability-First Residents
Branch County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families for whom ultra-low housing costs outweigh concerns about local income growth. Its exceptional affordability creates strong value for those with stable, external income sources. Branch offers maximum housing purchasing power for Michigan budget shoppers.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛67.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Branch County's effective tax rate of 1.229% exceeds the national median of 1.09% by about 13%, placing it in roughly the 60th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $1,813 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's much lower median home value of $147,500.
Mid-range tax burden in Michigan
Branch County ranks in Michigan's upper-middle tier with an effective rate of 1.229%, about 5% above the state average of 1.166%. The median annual tax of $1,813 sits below Michigan's median of $2,102, making it a mixed position within the state.
Higher than southern Michigan peers
Branch County's 1.229% rate tops Cass County (0.961%) but falls well short of Bay (1.632%) and Calhoun (1.498%) counties. In the Southwest Michigan region, it represents a middle-of-the-road tax environment.
What your home tax bill looks like
On Branch County's median home value of $147,500, the 1.229% rate yields approximately $1,813 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,905, while those without mortgages pay $1,707.
Consider appealing your assessment
Branch County homeowners should check whether their assessments reflect recent market conditions. Filing a property tax appeal during Michigan's March-June window is free and could reduce your tax bill meaningfully.
Renters in Branch County spend 17.4% of income on housing, outpacing Michigan's 16.3% state average and signaling moderate affordability stress. At $900 monthly rent on a $61,958 median household income, Branch tracks below the national income benchmark of $74,755 while carrying above-average housing burden.
Below-Average Affordability in Michigan
Branch County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio places it among the least affordable Michigan counties, while its $900 median rent exceeds the state average of $873 by 3.1%. The combination of below-state-average income and above-state-average rent costs creates competitive housing pressure here.
Mid-Range Costs in South-Central Region
Branch's $900 rent falls between Cass County ($870) and Calhoun County ($937), positioning it centrally among southern Michigan peers in absolute cost. However, Branch's 17.4% burden ratio places it among the region's least affordable, alongside Berrien and Calhoun, reflecting weaker income-to-cost alignment.
Ownership Offers Modest Relief
Branch renters pay $900 monthly (17.4% of income) while homeowners commit $837 (16.1%), making ownership slightly more efficient for those able to purchase. At a $147,500 median home value, Branch offers accessible entry for first-time buyers seeking to escape rental burden.
Branch Favors Future Homeowners
If you're ready to buy, Branch County's $147,500 median home value and 16.1% ownership burden beat its 17.4% rental ratio significantly. Compare Branch's $900 rent against Bay's $809 or Cass's $870 to weigh whether staying renting or accelerating a home purchase makes financial sense.
Branch County's median household income of $61,958 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $13,000, or 17%. This gap suggests Branch households face tighter economic conditions than the national average.
Below Michigan's county average
At $61,958, Branch County earns about 3% less than Michigan's county median of $64,304. This places Branch in the lower half of Michigan's counties for household income.
Branch ranks mid-tier regionally
Branch County's $61,958 income sits between Berrien County ($63,152) to the north and Calhoun County ($60,385) to the west. The regional income range spans nearly $8,000, indicating economic diversity across Southwest Michigan.
Housing affordability pressure is notable
Branch County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% approaches the stress threshold, with housing claiming a significant share of household budgets. Combined with below-average incomes, this limits discretionary spending capacity.
Modest steps build financial resilience
Branch County households earning $61,958 should prioritize building emergency savings before investing, given tighter housing costs. Even small, consistent contributions to savings accounts create a financial buffer against unexpected expenses.
Branch County's life expectancy of 76.1 years trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 2.8 years, signaling persistent health challenges. Nearly one in five residents (18.5%) report poor or fair health—above both the national average of 15% and Michigan's average—indicating high rates of chronic disease and preventable health conditions.
Branch ranks among Michigan's sicker counties
Branch County's life expectancy of 76.1 years sits just below Michigan's average of 76.3 years, but its 18.5% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the state average. The county's 8.2% uninsured rate stands as one of Michigan's highest, outpacing the state average of 6.4% by 1.8 percentage points.
Branch lags across most health measures
Branch's 18.5% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds peers like Cass (16.3%) and Charlevoix (15.9%), pointing to concentrated health disadvantages. With only 36 primary care providers per 100K—half Berrien's capacity—Branch residents face significant barriers to preventive and routine care.
Access barriers compound health challenges
Branch County has just 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, limiting routine check-ups and early disease detection across the county. Mental health capacity at 179 per 100K, combined with elevated uninsured rates (8.2%), creates compounding barriers to both physical and behavioral health care.
Prioritize health coverage now
Branch County's 8.2% uninsured rate—among Michigan's highest—leaves roughly 4,000 residents without stable health access. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid expansion, subsidized marketplace plans, and local health centers offering affordable care regardless of insurance status.
Branch County's composite risk score of 51.81 sits just above the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating despite moderate exposure to tornadoes and earthquakes. The score reflects manageable but real hazard exposure that residents should monitor and prepare for. This positioning suggests Branch is safer than many U.S. counties but faces notable local risks.
Near Michigan's Average
Branch County's composite risk of 51.81 closely mirrors Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it as a typical-risk Michigan county. The score sits slightly above the midpoint for statewide hazard exposure. Residents face representative Michigan disaster risks without the elevated exposure seen in some counties like Berrien.
Middle-Range Risk in Region
Branch County (51.81) ranks higher than Cass County (47.71) but lower than Berrien County (81.71), making it the middle-risk county in southwest Michigan. This positioning reflects Branch's distance from Lake Michigan, which reduces flood exposure compared to Berrien. Nearby Calhoun County (74.52) carries higher tornado risk despite similar earthquake vulnerability.
Tornado and Earthquake Concerns
Tornado risk is Branch's most significant hazard at 74.24, putting the county in a region that experiences regular severe convective storms. Earthquake risk (55.31) presents a secondary but substantial concern, higher than in more western Michigan counties. Flood risk (60.91) adds a third consideration, though it remains below county averages in more water-exposed areas.
Prepare for Severe Weather
Install a weather alert radio and designate a safe room or basement shelter for tornado warnings—your best protection during the warning period. Review your homeowners insurance for adequate coverage against wind damage and fallen trees common in severe storms. Consider earthquake safety measures like securing tall furniture and learning to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during seismic events.