Cost of Living in Michigan
Based on 1 city we track in Michigan.
Cost of living in Michigan is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $752 a month — 29% lower than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $39,575, 41% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$752
Median Home Value
$76,800
Median Income
$39,575
Avg Temperature
50.3°F
Medians across the Michigan cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.25%
Cities in Michigan
Compare Michigan with
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Michigan cost of living — FAQ
- Is Michigan expensive to live in?
- Michigan is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $752 ranks #50 of 51 and is 29% lower than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Michigan?
- Across the 1 city we track in Michigan, average rent runs a studio around $801, a one-bedroom around $752, a two-bedroom around $1,001, a three-bedroom around $1,195 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Michigan?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Michigan is $76,800 — 73% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Michigan have a state income tax?
- Yes — Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.25% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Michigan?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $752 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Michigan is $39,575.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).