Signals
Great Bend
Sault Ste. Marie
Growth
10 · Bottom 4%
vs17 · Bottom 7%
Climate
60 · Bottom 27%
vs51 · Bottom 4%
Physical resilience
72 · Top 26%
vs89 · Top 6%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
38 · Bottom 5%
vs35 · Bottom 5%
Economic stability
45 · Bottom 42%
vs23 · Bottom 13%
Measured values
| Metric | Great Bend | Sault Ste. Marie | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,097 | 36,295 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $58,851 | $62,217 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,350 | $30,655 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 28/sq mi | 23/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $126,400 | $161,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $761 | $797 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.2% | 75.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.7% | 23.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | 14.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 9 | 48 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.4 | 1.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -25.0% | -57.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 8°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 24.8" | 34.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 93 mi | 98 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 16.3 min | 18.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.8 | 41.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Great Bend
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, heat wave.
Sault Ste. Marie
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Great Bend
54
Your Score
—
Area Score
Sault Ste. Marie
52
Your Score
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Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Great Bend, KS Micro Area · Sault Ste. Marie, MI Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology