2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Michigan — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 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 49016 Battle Creek MI 59/100 33/100
3 49018 Battle Creek MI 59/100 33/100
4 49037 Battle Creek MI 59/100 45/100
5 49864 Nahma MI 58/100 80/100
6 49847 Hermansville MI 57/100 28/100
7 49276 Riga MI 56/100 55/100
8 48125 Dearborn Heights MI 55/100 76/100
9 48658 Standish MI 55/100 81/100
10 49001 Kalamazoo MI 55/100 54/100
11 48210 Detroit MI 54/100 77/100
12 49007 Kalamazoo MI 54/100 59/100
13 49014 Battle Creek MI 54/100 40/100
14 49015 Battle Creek MI 54/100 40/100
15 49245 Homer MI 54/100 48/100
16 48204 Detroit MI 53/100 77/100
17 48205 Detroit MI 53/100 72/100
18 48208 Detroit MI 53/100 76/100
19 49058 Hastings MI 53/100 72/100
20 48202 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
21 48209 Detroit MI 52/100 72/100
22 48211 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
23 48213 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
24 48214 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
25 48216 Detroit MI 52/100 76/100
26 48238 Detroit MI 52/100 77/100
27 49871 Palmer MI 52/100 79/100
28 48206 Detroit MI 51/100 77/100
29 48218 River Rouge MI 51/100 74/100
30 48227 Detroit MI 51/100 72/100
31 48228 Detroit MI 51/100 72/100
32 48624 Gladwin MI 51/100 64/100
33 48223 Detroit MI 50/100 72/100
34 48224 Detroit MI 50/100 72/100
35 48848 Laingsburg MI 50/100 71/100
36 49017 Battle Creek MI 50/100 58/100
37 49022 Benton Harbor MI 50/100 84/100
38 49031 Cassopolis MI 50/100 44/100
39 49073 Nashville MI 50/100 72/100
40 49220 Addison MI 50/100 54/100
41 49238 Deerfield MI 50/100 58/100
42 48157 Luna Pier MI 49/100 45/100
43 48221 Detroit MI 49/100 72/100
44 48234 Detroit MI 49/100 72/100
45 48750 Oscoda MI 49/100 87/100
46 48809 Belding MI 49/100 71/100
47 49224 Albion MI 49/100 69/100
48 49960 Rockland MI 49/100 62/100
49 48189 Whitmore Lake MI 48/100 64/100
50 48217 Detroit MI 48/100 77/100
51 48219 Detroit MI 48/100 72/100
52 48235 Detroit MI 48/100 72/100
53 48657 Sanford MI 48/100 85/100
54 48853 Maple Rapids MI 48/100 82/100
55 49072 Mendon MI 48/100 61/100
56 49093 Three Rivers MI 48/100 54/100
57 49228 Blissfield MI 48/100 65/100
58 49230 Brooklyn MI 48/100 64/100
59 49236 Clinton MI 48/100 54/100
60 49945 Lake Linden MI 48/100 82/100
61 48438 Goodrich MI 47/100 58/100
62 48463 Otisville MI 47/100 71/100
63 49040 Colon MI 47/100 57/100
64 49337 Newaygo MI 47/100 83/100
65 49631 Evart MI 47/100 89/100
66 48118 Chelsea MI 46/100 57/100
67 48207 Detroit MI 46/100 77/100
68 48212 Hamtramck MI 46/100 80/100
69 48226 Detroit MI 46/100 76/100
70 48859 Mount Pleasant MI 46/100 98/100
71 48867 Owosso MI 46/100 60/100
72 49047 Dowagiac MI 46/100 64/100
73 49048 Kalamazoo MI 46/100 54/100
74 49075 Nottawa MI 46/100 61/100
75 49082 Quincy MI 46/100 69/100
76 49902 Alpha MI 46/100 79/100
77 48145 La Salle MI 45/100 45/100
78 48412 Attica MI 45/100 68/100
79 48442 Holly MI 45/100 65/100
80 48456 Minden City MI 45/100 77/100
81 48506 Flint MI 45/100 77/100
82 49247 Hudson MI 45/100 61/100
83 49325 Freeport MI 45/100 81/100
84 48104 Ann Arbor MI 44/100 60/100
85 48161 Monroe MI 44/100 64/100
86 48198 Ypsilanti MI 44/100 69/100
87 48502 Flint MI 44/100 82/100
88 49023 Benton Harbor MI 44/100 92/100
89 49064 Lawrence MI 44/100 94/100
90 49615 Bellaire MI 44/100 73/100
91 49709 Atlanta MI 44/100 79/100
92 48009 Birmingham MI 43/100 73/100
93 48127 Dearborn Heights MI 43/100 86/100
94 48162 Monroe MI 43/100 69/100
95 48225 Harper Woods MI 43/100 76/100
96 48414 Bancroft MI 43/100 71/100
97 48505 Flint MI 43/100 82/100
98 49036 Coldwater MI 43/100 59/100
99 49053 Galesburg MI 43/100 68/100
100 49242 Hillsdale MI 43/100 69/100

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: 2026-06-04.

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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