Cost of Living in Michigan
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 743 cities in MI. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Michigan is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Michigan, with comparisons to national averages.
Michigan's average home value of $180,429 is 26% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $64,773, and average monthly rent is $747.
Most Affordable Cities in Michigan
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flint | $47,600 | $859/mo | $36,194 | 80,835 |
| 2 | Beecher | $48,400 | $905/mo | $35,582 | 8,507 |
| 3 | Buena Vista | $51,800 | $875/mo | $38,835 | 5,904 |
| 4 | Saginaw | $54,000 | $909/mo | $37,298 | 43,879 |
| 5 | Muskegon Heights | $55,800 | $826/mo | $33,780 | 9,902 |
| 6 | River Rouge | $55,900 | $759/mo | $32,568 | 7,092 |
| 7 | Ecorse | $59,400 | $879/mo | $45,082 | 9,170 |
| 8 | Ironwood | $74,900 | $555/mo | $37,191 | 5,004 |
| 9 | Benton Harbor | $75,500 | $775/mo | $29,652 | 9,023 |
| 10 | Inkster | $75,700 | $1,127/mo | $39,632 | 25,602 |
| 11 | Highland Park | $75,800 | $691/mo | $27,582 | 8,798 |
| 12 | Detroit | $76,800 | $1,034/mo | $39,575 | 636,644 |
| 13 | Bay City | $89,900 | $739/mo | $47,904 | 32,445 |
| 14 | Albion | $91,100 | $769/mo | $40,040 | 7,608 |
| 15 | Bridgeport | $91,400 | $740/mo | $47,325 | 6,841 |
Most Expensive Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $712,700 | $1,891/mo | $153,125 | 21,612 |
| 2 | Beverly Hills | $488,800 | $2,208/mo | $175,460 | 10,507 |
| 3 | East Grand Rapids | $488,500 | $1,845/mo | $168,487 | 11,394 |
| 4 | Forest Hills | $474,800 | $1,950/mo | $156,618 | 28,494 |
| 5 | Huntington Woods | $470,600 | $2,266/mo | $188,229 | 6,322 |
| 6 | Grosse Pointe Park | $460,500 | $1,365/mo | $121,796 | 11,394 |
| 7 | Northville | $455,100 | $1,443/mo | $143,875 | 6,080 |
| 8 | Rochester | $450,800 | $1,201/mo | $104,920 | 12,939 |
| 9 | Ann Arbor | $435,100 | $1,552/mo | $81,089 | 121,179 |
| 10 | Grosse Pointe Farms | $418,600 | $1,500/mo | $160,589 | 9,957 |
Highest Income Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington Woods | $188,229 | $470,600 | 6,322 |
| 2 | Beverly Hills | $175,460 | $488,800 | 10,507 |
| 3 | East Grand Rapids | $168,487 | $488,500 | 11,394 |
| 4 | Grosse Pointe Farms | $160,589 | $418,600 | 9,957 |
| 5 | Forest Hills | $156,618 | $474,800 | 28,494 |
| 6 | Birmingham | $153,125 | $712,700 | 21,612 |
| 7 | Northville | $143,875 | $455,100 | 6,080 |
| 8 | Grosse Pointe | $141,985 | $391,800 | 5,561 |
| 9 | Grosse Pointe Woods | $129,442 | $322,500 | 16,177 |
| 10 | Grosse Pointe Park | $121,796 | $460,500 | 11,394 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Michigan
What is the average cost of living in Michigan?
The average median home value across Michigan cities is $180,429, with average rent of $747/month. The average median household income is $64,773.
What are the cheapest cities in Michigan?
The most affordable cities in Michigan by home value include Flint ($47,600), Beecher ($48,400), Buena Vista ($51,800).
What is the most expensive city in Michigan?
The most expensive city in Michigan is Birmingham with a median home value of $712,700.
How does Michigan compare to the national average?
Michigan's average home value of $180,429 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $747/month is below the US average of $1,163.