2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Michigan — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

1,167 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 48215 (Detroit, MI) - 62/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 1,167 ZIP codes with data in Michigan, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Michigan Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 1,167
Highest value 62/100
Median value 30/100
State Michigan

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 48215 Detroit MI 62/100 62/100
2 49037 Battle Creek MI 59/100 45/100
3 49276 Riga MI 57/100 55/100
4 49847 Hermansville MI 57/100 28/100
5 48658 Standish MI 56/100 81/100
6 49001 Kalamazoo MI 55/100 54/100
7 49245 Homer MI 55/100 48/100
8 48125 Dearborn Heights MI 54/100 76/100
9 48204 Detroit MI 53/100 77/100
10 48208 Detroit MI 53/100 76/100
11 48210 Detroit MI 53/100 77/100
12 49007 Kalamazoo MI 53/100 59/100
13 49014 Battle Creek MI 53/100 40/100
14 49015 Battle Creek MI 53/100 40/100
15 48205 Detroit MI 52/100 72/100
16 48209 Detroit MI 52/100 72/100
17 48211 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
18 48214 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
19 48216 Detroit MI 52/100 76/100
20 48238 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
21 49058 Hastings MI 52/100 72/100
22 48202 Detroit MI 51/100 77/100
23 48213 Detroit MI 51/100 77/100
24 48227 Detroit MI 51/100 72/100
25 49220 Addison MI 51/100 54/100
26 48206 Detroit MI 50/100 77/100
27 48218 River Rouge MI 50/100 74/100
28 48223 Detroit MI 50/100 72/100
29 48224 Detroit MI 50/100 72/100
30 48228 Detroit MI 50/100 72/100
31 48809 Belding MI 50/100 71/100
32 49031 Cassopolis MI 50/100 44/100
33 49073 Nashville MI 50/100 72/100
34 49238 Deerfield MI 50/100 58/100
35 49871 Palmer MI 50/100 79/100
36 48157 Luna Pier MI 49/100 45/100
37 48234 Detroit MI 49/100 72/100
38 48624 Gladwin MI 49/100 64/100
39 48750 Oscoda MI 49/100 87/100
40 49017 Battle Creek MI 49/100 58/100
41 49022 Benton Harbor MI 49/100 84/100
42 49224 Albion MI 49/100 69/100
43 49960 Rockland MI 49/100 62/100
44 48189 Whitmore Lake MI 48/100 64/100
45 48217 Detroit MI 48/100 77/100
46 48219 Detroit MI 48/100 72/100
47 48221 Detroit MI 48/100 72/100
48 48235 Detroit MI 48/100 72/100
49 48657 Sanford MI 48/100 85/100
50 48848 Laingsburg MI 48/100 71/100
51 48853 Maple Rapids MI 48/100 82/100
52 49228 Blissfield MI 48/100 65/100
53 49230 Brooklyn MI 48/100 64/100
54 49236 Clinton MI 48/100 54/100
55 49337 Newaygo MI 48/100 83/100
56 49945 Lake Linden MI 48/100 82/100
57 48438 Goodrich MI 47/100 58/100
58 48463 Otisville MI 47/100 71/100
59 48859 Mount Pleasant MI 47/100 98/100
60 49072 Mendon MI 47/100 61/100
61 49093 Three Rivers MI 47/100 54/100
62 49631 Evart MI 47/100 89/100
63 49902 Alpha MI 47/100 79/100
64 48118 Chelsea MI 46/100 57/100
65 48207 Detroit MI 46/100 77/100
66 48212 Hamtramck MI 46/100 80/100
67 48226 Detroit MI 46/100 76/100
68 48867 Owosso MI 46/100 60/100
69 49040 Colon MI 46/100 57/100
70 49082 Quincy MI 46/100 69/100
71 49247 Hudson MI 46/100 61/100
72 48145 La Salle MI 45/100 45/100
73 48161 Monroe MI 45/100 64/100
74 48412 Attica MI 45/100 68/100
75 48442 Holly MI 45/100 65/100
76 48456 Minden City MI 45/100 77/100
77 48506 Flint MI 45/100 77/100
78 49047 Dowagiac MI 45/100 64/100
79 49048 Kalamazoo MI 45/100 54/100
80 49075 Nottawa MI 45/100 61/100
81 49325 Freeport MI 45/100 81/100
82 49709 Atlanta MI 45/100 79/100
83 48104 Ann Arbor MI 44/100 60/100
84 48162 Monroe MI 44/100 69/100
85 48198 Ypsilanti MI 44/100 69/100
86 48225 Harper Woods MI 43/100 76/100
87 48502 Flint MI 43/100 82/100
88 49036 Coldwater MI 43/100 59/100
89 49053 Galesburg MI 43/100 68/100
90 49064 Lawrence MI 43/100 94/100
91 49242 Hillsdale MI 43/100 69/100
92 49288 Waldron MI 43/100 55/100
93 49507 Grand Rapids MI 43/100 73/100
94 49509 Wyoming MI 43/100 73/100
95 49615 Bellaire MI 43/100 73/100
96 49701 Mackinaw City MI 43/100 76/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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