49038 vs 49117 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 49038, Orange = ZIP 49117.
Quick verdict: ZIP 49038 is lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 49117 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- Population8,577
- Median Income$60,396
- Median Home Value$196k
- Median Rent$728
- Median Age45.1 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.5%
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- Population3,512
- Median Income$75,268
- Median Home Value$448k
- Median Rent$685
- Median Age56.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate13.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
8,5773,512
Median Income
$60,396$75,268
Median Home Value
$196k$448k
Median Rent
$728$685
Median Age
45.1 yrs56.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
12.5%13.2%
Demographics
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- White %81.9%
- Black %6.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %4.0%
- Age 0–17 %22.5%
- Age 18–64 %55.3%
- Age 65+ %22.2%
- Bachelor's+ %20.8%
- Diversity Index32/100
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- White %91.6%
- Black %0.3%
- Asian %2.8%
- Hispanic %5.8%
- Age 0–17 %12.8%
- Age 18–64 %52.0%
- Age 65+ %35.2%
- Bachelor's+ %45.6%
- Diversity Index16/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
81.9%91.6%
Black %
6.0%0.3%
Asian %
0.0%2.8%
Hispanic %
4.0%5.8%
Age 0–17 %
22.5%12.8%
Age 18–64 %
55.3%52.0%
Age 65+ %
22.2%35.2%
Bachelor's+ %
20.8%45.6%
Diversity Index
32/10016/100
Economy
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- Median Income$60,396
- Unemployment %4.3%
- IRS Net Migration+336
- Work From Home %7.2%
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- Median Income$75,268
- Unemployment %10.0%
- IRS Net Migration+137
- Work From Home %19.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$60,396$75,268
Unemployment %
4.3%10.0%
IRS Net Migration
+336+137
Work From Home %
7.2%19.9%
Housing
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- Median Home Value$196k
- Median Rent$728
- Owner Occupied %73.7%
- Broadband %80.9%
- Vacant %28.0%
- Median Year Built1967
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- Median Home Value$448k
- Median Rent$685
- Owner Occupied %76.2%
- Broadband %86.8%
- Vacant %52.2%
- Median Year Built1977
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$196k$448k
Median Rent
$728$685
Owner Occupied %
73.7%76.2%
Broadband %
80.9%86.8%
Vacant %
28.0%52.2%
Median Year Built
19671977
Climate & Location
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)625 ft
- Nearest Airport34.2 miles (55.0 km)
- Distance to Coast3.4 miles (5.5 km)
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)809 ft
- Nearest Airport7.3 miles (11.7 km)
- Distance to Coast1.7 miles (2.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
625 ft809 ft
Nearest Airport
34.2 miles (55.0 km)7.3 miles (11.7 km)
Distance to Coast
3.4 miles (5.5 km)1.7 miles (2.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 49038
Lake Michigan Beach CDP, MI
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.2%
- Walkability (0–100)22
- Broadband %80.9%
ZIP 49117
New Buffalo city, MI
View full profile →- Work From Home %19.9%
- Walkability (0–100)27
- Broadband %86.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.2%19.9%
Walkability (0–100)
2227
Broadband %
80.9%86.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 49038 and 49117 compare?
ZIP 49038 is lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 49117 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (49038), orange the second (49117). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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