Cost of Living in Michigan
Michigan has 51 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Grand Rapids (cost index 95.0) to Dearborn (98.2), with a statewide average around 97.1 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Bay City at $766/mo and highest in Forest Hills at $1,958/mo.
Michigan at a Glance
Cities Tracked
51
with census data
Avg Cost Index
97.1
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,222
per month
Avg Household Income
$70,825
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| # | City | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rapids | 95.0 |
| 2 | Kentwood | 95.0 |
| 3 | Ann Arbor | 98.2 |
| 4 | Detroit | 98.2 |
| 5 | Warren | 98.2 |
Most Expensive
| # | City | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 98.2 |
| 2 | Warren | 98.2 |
| 3 | Dearborn | 98.2 |
| 4 | Ann Arbor | 98.2 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | 95.0 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Popular Cities in Michigan
Explore Michigan Cities in Depth
Climate & Weather in Michigan
Healthcare & Hospitals in Michigan
Neighborhoods in Michigan
Jobs & Industries in Michigan
Michigan Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Detroit | 638,530 | 98.2 | $1,074 | $83,900 | $39,938 |
| Grand Rapids | 198,535 | 95.0 | $1,266 | $244,500 | $69,108 |
| Warren | 137,928 | 98.2 | $1,225 | $193,400 | $64,016 |
| Sterling Heights | 133,573 | — | $1,292 | $274,300 | $79,909 |
| Ann Arbor | 122,036 | 98.2 | $1,649 | $453,400 | $82,212 |
| Lansing | 113,023 | — | $993 | $128,700 | $54,382 |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | 98.2 | $1,327 | $218,800 | $65,324 |
| Livonia | 93,851 | — | $1,322 | $281,100 | $98,460 |
| Troy | 87,898 | — | $1,602 | $420,300 | $120,045 |
| Westland | 83,633 | — | $1,158 | $184,600 | $62,076 |
| Farmington Hills | 83,515 | — | $1,551 | $354,500 | $104,836 |
| Flint | 80,175 | — | $915 | $53,500 | $37,646 |
| Wyoming | 77,353 | — | $1,196 | $225,200 | $73,677 |
| Rochester Hills | 77,089 | — | $1,644 | $409,800 | $120,694 |
| Southfield | 76,236 | — | $1,340 | $236,200 | $68,166 |
| Kalamazoo | 73,076 | — | $1,078 | $179,000 | $52,272 |
| Novi | 66,717 | — | $1,747 | $421,900 | $110,723 |
| Pontiac | 62,104 | — | $1,063 | $121,700 | $44,329 |
| Taylor | 62,081 | — | $1,101 | $152,600 | $61,081 |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | — | $1,331 | $185,100 | $60,391 |
| St. Clair Shores | 58,140 | — | $1,183 | $210,700 | $73,500 |
| Royal Oak | 57,950 | — | $1,381 | $328,700 | $101,109 |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | 95.0 | $1,260 | $268,200 | $74,373 |
| Battle Creek | 52,374 | — | $957 | $141,900 | $55,693 |
| Portage | 49,259 | — | $1,133 | $262,300 | $83,212 |
| Roseville | 47,123 | — | $1,233 | $155,800 | $62,182 |
| East Lansing | 45,758 | — | $1,171 | $270,800 | $45,687 |
| Saginaw | 43,536 | — | $922 | $60,000 | $38,579 |
| Midland | 42,724 | — | $1,048 | $203,900 | $73,325 |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | — | $1,023 | $131,000 | $58,616 |
| Muskegon | 37,226 | — | $996 | $142,300 | $44,735 |
| Holland | 34,423 | — | $1,193 | $252,200 | $75,865 |
| Eastpointe | 33,982 | — | $1,325 | $142,200 | $62,325 |
| Bay City | 32,320 | — | $766 | $97,600 | $49,420 |
| Jackson | 31,058 | — | $898 | $103,200 | $44,558 |
| Burton | 29,500 | — | $1,009 | $141,600 | $60,052 |
| Southgate | 29,366 | — | $1,120 | $173,600 | $66,118 |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | — | $1,396 | $212,300 | $71,510 |
| Forest Hills | 28,695 | — | $1,958 | $498,500 | $158,005 |
| Port Huron | 28,620 | — | $982 | $149,300 | $50,366 |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | — | $1,176 | $199,100 | $69,503 |
| Allen Park | 27,925 | — | $1,246 | $183,700 | $81,655 |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | — | $989 | $131,000 | $39,293 |
| Garden City | 26,739 | — | $1,150 | $168,800 | $67,294 |
| Allendale | 26,679 | — | $1,111 | $307,900 | $70,150 |
| Okemos | 26,396 | — | $1,298 | $359,200 | $102,612 |
| Inkster | 25,428 | — | $1,170 | $80,400 | $39,252 |
| Walker | 25,386 | — | $1,202 | $295,200 | $76,360 |
| Holt | 25,316 | — | $1,317 | $226,400 | $86,472 |
| Auburn Hills | 25,105 | — | $1,477 | $245,000 | $84,375 |
| Norton Shores | 25,041 | — | $1,341 | $234,800 | $76,579 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Michigan cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Michigan cities stack up across the US. For example, Detroit vs Grand Rapids.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Michigan
What is the cost of living in Michigan?
The average cost of living index across cities in Michigan is approximately 97.1 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,222/month and median household income averages around $70,825/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Michigan?
The most affordable cities in Michigan by cost of living index are: 1. Grand Rapids (index 95.0), 2. Kentwood (index 95.0), 3. Ann Arbor (index 98.2).
What is the median rent in Michigan?
The average median gross rent across cities in Michigan is approximately $1,222/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Michigan?
State income tax information for Michigan is not yet available in our database.
What is the sales tax in Michigan?
Sales tax information for Michigan is not yet available in our database.
Is it expensive to move to Michigan?
Michigan has a cost of living index of approximately 97.1 and average median rent around $1,222/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology