2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Michigan — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

1,167 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 48215 (Detroit, MI) - 65/100
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 65/100
Median value 32/100
State Michigan

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 48215 Detroit MI 65/100 62/100
2 49016 Battle Creek MI 63/100 33/100
3 49018 Battle Creek MI 63/100 33/100
4 49037 Battle Creek MI 62/100 45/100
5 49276 Riga MI 60/100 55/100
6 48125 Dearborn Heights MI 58/100 76/100
7 48658 Standish MI 58/100 81/100
8 49001 Kalamazoo MI 58/100 54/100
9 49864 Nahma MI 58/100 80/100
10 48208 Detroit MI 57/100 76/100
11 48210 Detroit MI 57/100 77/100
12 49014 Battle Creek MI 57/100 40/100
13 49245 Homer MI 57/100 48/100
14 49847 Hermansville MI 57/100 28/100
15 48204 Detroit MI 56/100 77/100
16 48205 Detroit MI 56/100 72/100
17 48211 Detroit MI 56/100 77/100
18 49007 Kalamazoo MI 56/100 59/100
19 49015 Battle Creek MI 56/100 40/100
20 49058 Hastings MI 56/100 72/100
21 48202 Detroit MI 55/100 77/100
22 48209 Detroit MI 55/100 72/100
23 48213 Detroit MI 55/100 77/100
24 48214 Detroit MI 55/100 77/100
25 48216 Detroit MI 55/100 76/100
26 48227 Detroit MI 55/100 72/100
27 48238 Detroit MI 55/100 77/100
28 48206 Detroit MI 54/100 77/100
29 48218 River Rouge MI 54/100 74/100
30 48223 Detroit MI 54/100 72/100
31 48228 Detroit MI 54/100 72/100
32 48224 Detroit MI 53/100 72/100
33 48234 Detroit MI 53/100 72/100
34 49017 Battle Creek MI 53/100 58/100
35 49073 Nashville MI 53/100 72/100
36 49220 Addison MI 53/100 54/100
37 49238 Deerfield MI 53/100 58/100
38 48157 Luna Pier MI 52/100 45/100
39 48221 Detroit MI 52/100 72/100
40 48848 Laingsburg MI 52/100 71/100
41 48853 Maple Rapids MI 52/100 82/100
42 49224 Albion MI 52/100 69/100
43 49230 Brooklyn MI 52/100 64/100
44 49871 Palmer MI 52/100 79/100
45 48189 Whitmore Lake MI 51/100 64/100
46 48217 Detroit MI 51/100 77/100
47 48219 Detroit MI 51/100 72/100
48 48235 Detroit MI 51/100 72/100
49 48438 Goodrich MI 51/100 58/100
50 48624 Gladwin MI 51/100 64/100
51 49022 Benton Harbor MI 51/100 84/100
52 49031 Cassopolis MI 51/100 44/100
53 49093 Three Rivers MI 51/100 54/100
54 49228 Blissfield MI 51/100 65/100
55 49236 Clinton MI 51/100 54/100
56 48207 Detroit MI 50/100 77/100
57 48212 Hamtramck MI 50/100 80/100
58 48463 Otisville MI 50/100 71/100
59 48809 Belding MI 50/100 71/100
60 48859 Mount Pleasant MI 50/100 98/100
61 49040 Colon MI 50/100 57/100
62 49072 Mendon MI 50/100 61/100
63 49631 Evart MI 50/100 89/100
64 49902 Alpha MI 50/100 79/100
65 48118 Chelsea MI 49/100 57/100
66 48226 Detroit MI 49/100 76/100
67 48442 Holly MI 49/100 65/100
68 48750 Oscoda MI 49/100 87/100
69 48867 Owosso MI 49/100 60/100
70 49048 Kalamazoo MI 49/100 54/100
71 49075 Nottawa MI 49/100 61/100
72 49082 Quincy MI 49/100 69/100
73 49337 Newaygo MI 49/100 83/100
74 49960 Rockland MI 49/100 62/100
75 48145 La Salle MI 48/100 45/100
76 48161 Monroe MI 48/100 64/100
77 48412 Attica MI 48/100 68/100
78 48506 Flint MI 48/100 77/100
79 48657 Sanford MI 48/100 85/100
80 49047 Dowagiac MI 48/100 64/100
81 49247 Hudson MI 48/100 61/100
82 49325 Freeport MI 48/100 81/100
83 49709 Atlanta MI 48/100 79/100
84 49945 Lake Linden MI 48/100 82/100
85 48104 Ann Arbor MI 47/100 60/100
86 48162 Monroe MI 47/100 69/100
87 48198 Ypsilanti MI 47/100 69/100
88 48222 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
89 48231 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
90 48232 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
91 48233 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
92 48242 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
93 48243 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
94 48244 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
95 48255 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
96 48260 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
97 48264 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
98 48265 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
99 48266 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100
100 48267 Detroit MI 47/100 76/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-07-19.

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 pipe infrastructure and EPA 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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