Is Gaylord Safe, Pros and cons of living in Gaylord

Is it Safe to Live in Gaylord?

Gaylord’s overall crime rate is reported to be 83.3% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). However, other sources indicate a different trend, with one stating the overall crime rate is 48% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Violent crimes in Gaylord are 39% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes), while DoorProfit reports the estimated violent crime rate is 52% lower than the national average.

Conversely, property crime rates in Gaylord are 3.38% (according to ERI Economic Research Institute) or 35 per one thousand population (according to NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Gaylord is 1 in 26 (as reported by AreaVibes), with a 1 in 201 chance of falling victim to a violent crime and a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of property crime. Gaylord is considered safer than 10% of the cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes).

Demographics and Community

Gaylord, Michigan, is home to approximately 4,357 residents as of the most recent Census data (according to Point2Homes). The population is predominantly White, with 93.8% identifying as such, followed by Multiracial at 3.3%, Asian at 1.2%, and African American at 0.8% (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic makeup is considerably less diverse than Michigan as a whole (according to Census Dots).

The median age in Gaylord is 40 years (as reported by Data USA and Point2Homes), with a slight majority of females at 54.5% compared to males at 45.5% (according to Point2Homes). The city has 2,306 households, averaging two members per household, with 45.2% of these being families (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents, 96.6%, are U.S.-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Gaylord is generally lower than the national average. It is 14% less expensive than the national average (according to AreaVibes) and 10% lower than the U.S. national average overall (as reported by Salary.com). Housing costs are a significant factor in this affordability, being 39% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes) and 34.6% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Food costs in Gaylord are also more affordable, being 1% lower than the national average for groceries (according to AreaVibes). However, transportation costs are less affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $2,235, and for a family of four, it is $4,922 (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing Market

The median home price in Gaylord is approximately $282,450 (as reported by Homes.com). However, other sources cite different figures, with the median property value at $192,800 (according to Data USA) and the average home value at $258,965 (as of March 31, 2026, according to Zillow). The median listing price is $330,300 (according to Realtor.com).

The homeownership rate in Gaylord is 30.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA). The Gaylord housing market is described as very competitive, with homes selling in an average of 45 days (according to Redfin). The price per square foot is $156 (as reported by Realtor.com).

Rental prices in Gaylord are also more affordable than the national average. The average rent is $1,336 per month (as reported by Apartments.com and Rent.com), which is 19% lower than the national average rent of $1,642. Zumper reports the average rent as $1,100 per month, 44% below the national average. A studio apartment averages $1,095 per month, a one-bedroom is $1,336, and a two-bedroom is around $1,465 (as reported by Apartments.com).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Gaylord is approximately $38,000, or $18.27 per hour (as reported by Zippia). Other sources indicate a median wage of $36.9K per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The minimum wage in Gaylord is $9.65 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage (as reported by Zippia).

Major employers in Gaylord include Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, and UPS (as listed on Indeed.com). Manufacturing companies such as Schwan’s Company and Kinetico Incorporated also contribute to the local economy (as listed on Indeed.com). Crossroads Industries provides employment and skills training for adults with disabilities, offering services like bulk mailing and printing (as reported by Crossroads Industries).

The unemployment rate for Gaylord is not readily available in the provided search results. However, the median household income is reported as $44,701 (as reported by Data USA and Otsego County). The poverty rate stands at 8.03% (as reported by Otsego County).

Climate

Gaylord experiences a classic four-season climate with cold, snowy winters and comfortable summers. The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 67°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 77°F and lows of 57°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The cold season spans from early December to early March, with average daily highs below 35°F. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 25°F and lows of 12°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The temperature typically varies between 10°F and 78°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -7°F or exceeding 87°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Annual snowfall is significant, with an average of 134 inches, and January is typically the snowiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Total annual precipitation is around 33 inches, with October receiving the most rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area experiences an average of 36.21 inches of rain per year (as reported by US Climate Data).

Education

Gaylord, MI, is served by Gaylord Community Schools, which has an overall Niche grade of B+ (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 2,776 students in 5 public schools (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger). The student-teacher ratio is 20 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

Public schools in Gaylord have strong academic performance, with an average math proficiency score of 44% and a reading proficiency score of 53% (as reported by Niche). Gaylord Middle School is a standout, consistently ranking among the top 25% of Michigan middle schools (as reported by SchoolDigger). Gaylord High School has a graduation rate slightly below the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger). Minority enrollment in Gaylord schools is 9%, which is less than the Michigan public school average (as reported by Niche).