What is the cost of living in Michigan?

Michigan has an average cost of living index of 97, which is 13% below the national average of 112. Average monthly rent across tracked cities is $1,597, and average median household income is $63,422.

What is the cheapest city in Michigan?

Detroit is the most affordable city tracked in Michigan, with a cost index of 84 and median rent of $1,318/month.

What is the most expensive city in Michigan?

Ann Arbor is the most expensive city tracked in Michigan, with a cost index of 123 and median rent of $2,496/month.

What is the average rent in Michigan?

The average monthly rent across 6 tracked cities in Michigan is $1,597. The cheapest rent is in Lansing at $1,283/month.

What is the average household income in Michigan?

The average median household income across tracked cities in Michigan is $63,422. The highest-earning city is Ann Arbor at $81,089.

Is Michigan affordable to live in?

Michigan's average rent-to-income ratio is 30.8%. Financial advisors recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income. Michigan can be a financial stretch, with rent exceeding 30% of typical incomes in many cities. Detroit offers the best value at a cost index of 84.

Home/Michigan

6 cities tracked

Michigan

Compare affordability, taxes, rent pressure, and earnings across Michigan’s tracked cities with a single state-level intelligence view.

All Rankings

Most affordable: Detroit

Highest income: Ann Arbor

Avg rent: $1,597

Avg Cost Index

0/ 100

State Population

Avg Income

Avg Rent

$0/mo

Avg Home Price

Tracked City Pop

State Intelligence Overview

Core metrics, city comparisons, and tax signals

Most Affordable

Detroit

Index: 84Rent: $1,318

Most Expensive

Ann Arbor

Index: 123Rent: $2,496

Highest Income

Ann Arbor

$81,089Rent: $2,496

Michigan vs National Average

Cost Index

-13.4% vs avg

Avg Rent

$1,597

-15.7% vs avg

Avg Income

$63,422

-21.1% vs avg

Cities in Michigan

City	Cost	Rent	Income	Home Price	Pop	Rent/Inc
Detroit	84	$1,318	$39,575	$74,828	633,218	40.0%
Grand Rapids	100	$1,662	$65,526	$296,961	196,608	30.4%
Warren	90	$1,336	$63,741	$195,562	136,655	25.2%
Sterling Heights	98	$1,487	$78,429	$301,210	133,306	22.8%
Ann Arbor	123	$2,496	$81,089	$511,402	119,381	36.9%
Lansing	88	$1,283	$52,170	$158,722	112,115	29.5%