Muskegon-Norton Shores and Niles receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Muskegon-Norton Shores
Niles
Opportunity
20 · Bottom 2%
vs28 · Bottom 6%
Growth
31 · Bottom 21%
vs23 · Bottom 11%
Climate
64 · Bottom 42%
vs61 · Bottom 30%
Physical resilience
98 · Top 1%
vs94 · Top 2%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 40%
vs95 · Top 47%
Access
63 · Bottom 26%
vs91 · Top 22%
Economic stability
49 · Bottom 48%
vs37 · Bottom 32%
Measured values
| Metric | Muskegon-Norton Shores | Niles | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,961 | 153,288 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,024 | $65,425 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $32,532 | $38,351 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 349/sq mi | 270/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $198,300 | $224,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,028 | $942 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 78.1% | 72.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -7.9% | -7.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 30.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 338 | 317 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 2.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -26.4% | -24.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 17°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 39.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 59 mi | 23 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.3 min | 22.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.0 | 42.7 | 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
Muskegon-Norton Shores
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Niles
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.
Muskegon-Norton Shores
60
Your Score
59
Area Score
Niles
61
Your Score
59
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Metro Area · Niles, MI Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology