Rich culture, affordable healthcare, and quality education have motivated about 47% of people to move to Michigan. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of 250K, Michigan can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Wolverine State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Albion and Flint offer several budget-friendly options. While Albion offers a cost of living 17.5% lower than the national average, the median home price in Flint is $62K.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, Michigan has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in Michigan!
4 Reasons to live in Michigan 🌭
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in Michigan is ~$250K. But you can get houses between $62K and $234K in cities like Flint, Lansing, and Midland.
- Tax Benefits: The income tax rate in Michigan was reduced to 4.05% in 2023 and is expected to reduce further in 2024.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in cities that are listed below is up to 15.2% lower than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than national average. You can save up to $422 per month in rent.
Cheapest Places to Live in Michigan in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint | $35,451 | $62,973 | 79,854 | 4.0% | 33.3% |
| Detroit | $37,761 | $74,882 | 620,376 | 9.4% | 31.5% |
| Albion | $41,594 | $131,089 | 7,622 | 6.4% | 26.7% |
| Lansing | $50,747 | $157,118 | 112,537 | 3.9% | 20.0% |
| Muskegon | $40,900 | $177,718 | 38,220 | 4.4% | 22.9% |
| Battle Creek | $49,684 | $172,062 | 52,123 | 4.2% | 19.2% |
| Midland | $71,809 | $234,596 | 42,512 | 3.6% | 9.2% |
| Alma | $44,375 | $149,231 | 9,364 | 5.6% | 21.8% |
| Taylor | $59,352 | $172,665 | 61,241 | 7.68% | 15.85% |
| Ecorse | $45,473 | $78,201 | 8,941 | 5.6% | 25% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in MI
The annual population growth of 1.6% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to Michigan. If you’re considering shifting to the Wolverine State, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Flint
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $62,973 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $900 |
| 🌅 Known For | Flint River |
Flint is one of the most affordable places to live in Michigan. The median house rent ranges from $525 – $2,450. It also offers very affordable healthcare that costs 21.4% lower than the national average.
Flint has a fascinating history that has shaped its unique culture. As the birthplace of General Motors (GM), Flint played a vital role in the automotive industry’s development.
The Flint Institute of Arts and the Sloan Museum offer residents with enriching cultural experiences, showcasing art, history, and regional exhibits.
» Homes for Sale in Flint, MI: Find your dream home in cheapest city to live in Michigan.
2. Detroit
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8.2%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $74,882 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,200 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Motown Museum |
Detroit is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in Michigan with an average home rent ranging between $400 – $15,000. It also offers affordable grocery that costs 11% lower than the national average.
Detroit is home to several esteemed educational institutions, including Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. These universities offer wide range of academic programs and contribute to the intellectual growth and cultural vibrancy of the city. Apart from this, the city has top major employers such as Ally Financial and Walbridge for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Detroit, MI: Browse thousands of property listings in affordable housing in Michigan.
3. Albion
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 17.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $131,089 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $650 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Festival of the Forks |
With rental costs below the national average, Albion stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Michigan. The house rent price is between $615 – $1,288. Apart from this, the city has good employment sectors. Decker Manufacturing is one of the well known manufacturing companies that contributes to city’s economy.
Moreover, Albion takes pride in its strong community engagement. Events like the Albion Community Fair, Festival of the Forks, and the Albion Farmers’ Market bring residents together and foster a sense of unity. These events showcase local talent and promote small businesses.
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4. Lansing
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 16.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $157,118 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,100 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Michigan State Capitol |
Lansing offers budget-friendly living with a median rent that is $499 lower than the national median. Moreover, the transportation costs are 5.2% below the national average in the city.
Lansing is the capital city of Michigan, serving as an energetic hub of government programs and local engagement. Residents have unique opportunities to actively participate in the democratic process. Moreover, Lansing offers employment opportunities of job seekers. Health Management Associates and Dewpoint are top major employers in the city.
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5. Muskegon
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 15.9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $177,718 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,450 |
| 🎨 Known For | Medbury Park |
Often referred to as the ‘The Great Lakes State,’ Muskegon’s cost of living is 15.9% lower than the national average. The grocery expenses are 8% lower than the national average.
Muskegon’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live in the US. Apart from this, the city has presence of some major companies that offers to city’s growth. Companies like Anderson Global and Brunswick Bowling are some of the top employers.
» Homes for Sale in Muskegon, MI: Search homes in cheapest cities to live in Michigan.
6. Battle Creek
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 17.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $172,062 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,075 |
| 🏫 Known For | Binder Park Zoo |
The house rent in Battle Creek is between $650 – $2,918. With an average household income of $52,708, you can comfortably live in this city. Moreover, the city has low unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to other cities. Major companies like W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Trmi Inc contributes to city’s growth.
Battle Creek provides amenities aimed at enhancing residents’ quality of life. These include parks, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions such as the Binder Park Zoo. These amenities offer opportunities for leisure, exercise, and family outings, contributing to residents’ overall well-being.
» Homes for Sale in Battle Creek, MI: Find homes in most affordable cities in Michigan.
7. Midland
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $234,596 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,395 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Dow Gardens |
Midland is indeed one of the best places to live in Michigan. The monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $487. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly options across the country.
Midland fosters a strong sense of community, evident in events like the Midland Balloon Festival and the Midland Farmers Market. Some of the top major employers in Midland are The Dow Chemical Company and Chemical Bank. These companies contribute significantly to the city’s growth by creating jobs, attracting talent, and boosting the local economy.
» Homes for Sale in Midland, MI: Get yourself a home in cheap cost of living cities.
8. Alma
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 26.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $149,231 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $750 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Fred Meijer Heartland Trail |
The average median rent for all bedrooms apartment in Alma is $750. The housing cost in the city is 65.3% cheaper other cities in Michigan. Moreover, Alma’s utilities and transportation costs are also low.
Additionally, top employers like GARR TOOL and Michigan Masons makes this city one of the best places to live for young adults. The city provides ample of job opportunities for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Alma, MI: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Michigan.
9. Taylor
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8.2%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $172,665 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,400 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Taylor Summer Festival |
Taylor is one of the great affordable places to live with cost of living of 8% lower than US average. This city is known for its affordable housing which is 52.3% lower than the US average. Healthcare and grocery costs are also relatively lower than the US average.
Moreover, the city has major employers that contribute to the economy such as Prudential Security and SEMCA. These employers offers ample of job opportunities for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Taylor, MI: Find houses in cheapest city to live in Michigan.
10. Ecorse
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8.2%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $78,201 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $850 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Shipbuilding History |
Ecorse is Michigan’s fastest-growing city. Residents of Ecorse benefit from a low cost of living, which is 8.2% less than the national average. Also, healthcare costs are 18.2% lower than the US average, makes the city affordable for senior citizen.
The city also offers relatively affordable housing, which is 79.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Jacksonville also has many big companies like as United States Steel and Edw. C. Levy Co. as their top employers.
» Homes for Sale in Ecorse, MI: Find affordable homes in Michigan.
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Bottom Line
If you want to move to Michigan, you will find cheap houses for sale in Michigan under 100K in cities like Flint, Detroit, and Albion. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Michigan cities.
Cities like Battle Creek and Midland have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Michigan’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in MI Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in Michigan, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, Zillow and Best Places.
FAQs
What is the cheapest place to live in Michigan?
The cheapest place to live in Michigan is Flint.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Michigan: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Michigan!
Is Michigan cheap to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $250,534. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Michigan?
The best place to live in Michigan is Grand Rapids, followed by Detroit, Lansing, Troy, Ann Arbor, Okemos, and Holland.
