2025 Compare Cities Overview:
West Branch, MI vs Alpena, MI

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Highlights
Are people in Alpena older or younger than people in West Branch?
- The Median Age in Alpena is 2.5 years younger than in West Branch.

Are housing costs cheaper in Alpena or West Branch?
- Alpena housing costs are 9.5% less expensive than West Branch housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Alpena or West Branch?
- The average commute for residents of Alpena is 11.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of West Branch.

Things to do in West Branch?
Living in West Branch, MI is both charming and peaceful. With a population of just under 3,000 people, it is a small rural town that cherishes its heritage and community activities. From the local weekly farmers market to the summer festivals, West Branch is filled with plenty of activities to enjoy. Families can take part in outdoor recreation at nearby parks or spend an afternoon at the local ice cream shop for a treat. The city also has several restaurants and shops that give you a glimpse into its history and culture. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone in West Branch!

Things to do in Alpena?
Alpena stands out as Michigan's only natural deep water harbor conveniently situated near Lake Huron's Thunder Bay . With over 10000 inhabiting citizens this area provides tremendous recreational variety from boating expeditions to world class scuba diving dives & almost infinite outdoors fishing very popular among vacationers coming from all over United States .

 West Branch, MIAlpena, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock10,181329,725,481
 Median Income$32,172  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4438.4
 Avg. Home Price$157,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.78  Unlock26.38
Reviews for West Branch    1 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

pros: affordable cost of living, close to Michigan's lakes and forests cons: no jobs, small town atmosphere, sequestered location, bad winters, I lived in West  More

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Reviews for Alpena    5 Reviews

One of the ten best places to visit in Michigan. I was born and raised in Michigan but now live in Seattle. I get back to Michigan frequently because my brother  More

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Over 12 years ago

Alpena is 740 ft above sea leval and gets 72 in. of snow every year. That's a good thing and Alpena is a winter wonderland for me . Clean and crisp with the lake frozen  More

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Alpena is a town for all ages, with plenty to do, more than one person could attend. I think the events are varied and offer something for everyone. The town is  More

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