Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Norton Shores, MI

    Is Norton Shores a good place to live?

    Watch Norton Shores

    Norton Shores ranks #13 of 50 Michigan cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (61/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $214,000
    +12.2% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,286
    per month
    Household income
    $73,390
    median
    Unemployment
    5.5%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Norton Shores

    The median home value in Norton Shores is $214,000 and median rent is $1,286 a month, against a median household income of $73,390. Homes cost about 2.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Norton Shores crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Michigan the 2025 rate was 431 violent and 1,300 property crimes per 100,000 people — #28 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Norton Shores, MI

    Norton Shores has about 25,000 residents, 5.5% unemployment and 24% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Norton Shores with

    Norton Shores vs DetroitNorton Shores vs Grand RapidsNorton Shores vs WarrenNorton Shores vs Sterling HeightsNorton Shores vs Ann ArborNorton Shores vs LansingNorton Shores vs DearbornNorton Shores vs Livonia

    More: Where to move in Michigan · Best counties in Michigan

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report