Kalamazoo Named One Of Best Places For “Cheapskates”

Earlier this week, Kiplinger's Magazine rated the "10 Best Cities for Cheapskates."  While that may sound bad initially, what they're really saying is that these cities are places where your dollar stretches further; they looked for low costs of living and high income relative to cost and places with lots of free (or inexpensive) things to do.

One of the "10 Best" is right down 131 in Kalamazoo!  They ranked #4 in this survey and here's what Kiplinger's had to say...

Avg household income: $60,362

Cost of living score: 87.4

Museums and libraries in metro area: 27

Must-see freebie: All Ears Theater, a free live performance series organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's living costs are the lowest on our list: 13% below the national average and 21% below nearby Chicago. Housing is perhaps the city's most notably cheap amenity, with costs one-third below the national average. But Kalamazoo also offers a range of budget-friendly activities, from art and music at Western Michigan University to an unusually well-funded public library system. The Kalamazoo Nature Center, rated one of the country's best, charges $7 for nonmember admission and hosts free daily activities, from cooking workshops to yoga classes. Nearby parks, such as Cold Brook and Prairie View, boast a combined 140 miles of trails and three swimming beaches. Bored of the outdoors? Take your savings to Chicago, less than three hours away.