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Cost of living in Michigan

Everyday prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the US average, the 24th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Michigan cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Michigan next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
MichiganUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Michigan?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$76,800
Typical household incomeA year · 41st highest of 51
20%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,280/mo) against median income ($76,800). 28th lowest of 51.
3.9
Years of income to buy a home$299,900 median listing against $76,800 income. 9th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Michigan?

1,796 more people moved to Michigan from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Michigan

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Jackson, MI8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,063
    Typical home
    $254,950
    Mortgage
    $1,401/mo
  2. 2Southwest Michigan (Niles-Benton Harbor), MI8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,063
    Typical home
    $409,450
    Mortgage
    $2,250/mo
  3. 3Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI4% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,388
    Typical home
    $399,900
    Mortgage
    $2,198/mo
  4. 4Detroit, MIAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,398
    Typical home
    $274,950
    Mortgage
    $1,511/mo

Michigan next to its neighbors

The states that border Michigan, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 17Ohio7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,190
    Typical home
    $284,000
    Net moves
    +11,926
  2. 18Indiana7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,218
    Typical home
    $299,000
    Net moves
    +12,197
  3. 20Wisconsin6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,236
    Typical home
    $389,900
    Net moves
    +6,984
  4. 24MichiganThis state4% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,280
    Typical home
    $299,900
    Net moves
    +1,796

Michigan by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Michigan next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Michigan96.282.3$299,900$1,648$1,280
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Michigan cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Jackson$254,950$1,401$1,06391.8
Detroit$274,950$1,511$1,398100.3
Southwest Michigan (Niles-Benton Harbor)$409,450$2,250$1,06392.4

Metro areas in Michigan

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Jackson, MI91.8$1,063$254,950
Southwest Michigan (Niles-Benton Harbor), MI92.4$1,063$409,450
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI95.5$1,388$399,900
Detroit, MI100.3$1,398$274,950

Michigan next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Michigan96.2$1,280$299,900+1,796
Indiana93.3$1,218$299,000+12,197
Ohio92.8$1,190$284,000+11,926
Wisconsin94.1$1,236$389,900+6,984

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-31,206
2020-21-28,290
2021-22-9,107
2022-23-17,137
2023-24-8,065
2024-25+1,796

States with a similar cost of living to Michigan

Keep comparing

Michigan cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Michigan?

Everyday prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the US average, the 24th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 82.3 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $299,900 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,648 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,280 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $128,218 in Michigan.

Is Michigan cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Michigan's regional price parity is 96.2, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 3.8% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Michigan?

The median listed home in Michigan is $299,900 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 9th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,648 a month.

How much is rent in Michigan?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Michigan is $1,280 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Michigan equals $150,000 in New York?

About $128,218, using BEA regional price parities for Michigan (96.2) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Michigan?

1,796 more people moved to Michigan from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Michigan cities do you cover?

Jackson ($254,950), Detroit ($274,950), Southwest Michigan ($409,450). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page