Michigan attracts Americans from all over. And there’s a good reason why: Affordable healthcare, tax benefits, and rich culture. You can’t go wrong with the Wolverine State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $200,000. Alma’s cost of living is 26.3% lower than the national average, and Albion is 17.5% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Muskegon’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $170K. Meanwhile, Battle Creek offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $166,556.
Cheapest Places to Live in Michigan in 2025
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Michigan. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population 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 Michigan
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Wolverine State:
#1 Flint
- Median house rent is $950 | Rental prices range between $450 and $2,350.
- Median home value of Flint is $59,494.
- Cost of living in Flint is 14.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Flint, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $62,973 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $900 |
| 🌅 Known For | Flint River |
Flint offers very affordable healthcare that costs 21.4% lower than the national average. It is also home to University of Michigan-Flint and Kettering University, which makes it ideal for young adults. Attractions include the Flint Cultural Center, featuring the Flint Institute of Arts and the Sloan Museum, which showcases art and history. Parks such as Stepping Stone Falls offer recreational activities like biking.
» Flint Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the cheapest city to live in Michigan.
#2 Detroit
- Median house rent is $1,280 | Rental prices range between $499 and $7,000.
- Median home value of Detroit is $74,213.
- Cost of living in Detroit is 8.2% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Detroit, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, is known for its rich musical heritage and automotive history. It houses institutions like Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. It is also a hub for the automotive industry, with companies like General Motors headquartered here. Annual events like the Detroit Jazz Festival attract visitors worldwide. Detroit is ideal for professionals and young adults.
» Detroit Homes for Sale: Browse property listings in one of the cheap cities in Michigan.
#3 Albion
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $800 and $1,600.
- Median home value of Albion is $128,109.
- Cost of living in Albion is 17.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Albion, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 17.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $131,089 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $650 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Festival of the Forks |
Albion is a small city featuring Albion College, a private liberal arts institution. Housing expenses in Albion are 65% cheaper than the US average. The city is also known for the Gardner House Museum and hosts the annual Festival of the Forks, highlighting its diverse heritage. Parks like Victory Park provide green spaces for residents. These combined factors make Albion an ideal place for families and students.
» Albion Homes for Sale: Search affordable homes in one of the cheapest cities in Michigan.
#4 Lansing
- Median house rent is $1,025 | Rental prices range between $325 and $3,040.
- Median home value of Lansing is $149,710.
- Cost of living in Lansing is 16.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Lansing, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Transportation costs in Lansing are 5.2% below the national average. As the state capital, Lansing hosts government institutions and educational centers like Michigan State University. Besides, Lansing offers employment opportunities for job seekers with key employers like Dewpoint and Health Management Associates. This makes it ideal for professionals and young adults.
» Lansing Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of property listings in affordable housing in Michigan.
Use a Michigan Cost of Living Calculator to compare housing, utilities, and transportation costs. Get a detailed cost breakdown across affordable cities for free💲.
#5 Muskegon
- Median house rent is $1,300 | Rental prices range between $750 and $3,500.
- Median home value of Muskegon is $170,938.
- Cost of living in Muskegon is 15.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Muskegon, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Often referred to as the ‘The Great Lakes State,’ Michigan boasts grocery expenses 8% lower than the national average. Muskegon is also renowned for beautiful Lake Michigan beaches and parks like Pere Marquette Park. The city hosts festivals such as the Michigan Irish Music Festival. Muskegon has been working on improving safety and is ideal for families and retirees seeking a lakeside community.
» Muskegon Homes for Sale: Search homes in cheapest place to retire in Michigan.
#6 Battle Creek
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $575 and $2,478.
- Median home value of Battle Creek is $166,556.
- Cost of living in Battle Creek is 17.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Battle Creek, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Known as the “Cereal City,” Battle Creek is home to the Kellogg Company. Moreover, the city has low unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to other cities. Major companies like W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Trmi Inc. contribute to the city’s growth. Besides, the city boasts attractions like the Binder Park Zoo and the Kingman Museum for family outings.
» Battle Creek Homes for Sale: Find homes in most affordable cities in Michigan.
#7 Midland
- Median house rent is $1,599 | Rental prices range between $795 and $3,100.
- Median home value of Midland is $226,582.
- Cost of living in Midland is 14.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Midland, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Midland offers monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $503 compared to the national average of $624. It also 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.
» Midland Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in cheap cost of living cities.
#8 Alma
- Median house rent is $750.
- Median home value of Alma is $144,274.
- Cost of living in Alma is 26.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Alma, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Housing cost in Alma is 65.3% cheaper than other cities in Michigan. Moreover, groceries are also 10.4% cheaper than the US median. It is home to Alma College, a private liberal arts college. The city celebrates its Scottish heritage with the annual Alma Highland Festival. Besides, GARR TOOL and Michigan Masons make this city one of the cheapest cities to live for professionals due to its affordability.
» Alma Homes for Sale: Discover affordable homes in one of the cheapest places to live in Michigan.
#9 Taylor
- Median house rent is $1,350 | Rental prices range between $850 and $2,500.
- Median home value of Taylor is $168,179.
- Cost of living in Taylor is 8.2% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Taylor, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Taylor offers healthcare expenses at 18.2% cheaper than the US average, which makes it ideal for seniors. Taylor offers attractions like the Heritage Park Petting Farm and the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Moreover, the city has local key employers like Prudential Security and SEMCA. These employers offer ample job opportunities for job seekers.
» Taylor Homes for Sale: Find houses in one of the cheapest cities to live in Michigan.
#10 Ecorse
- Median house rent is $1,599 | Rental prices range between $795 and $3,100.
- Median home value of Ecorse is $226,582.
- Cost of living in Ecorse is 14.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Ecorse, MI: 48224 | 49686 | 48227
Ecorse is Michigan’s fastest-growing city. Residents of Ecorse benefit from healthcare costs that are 18.2% lower than the US average, which makes it affordable to live. Ecorse also offers scenic views of Detroit River, offering waterfront parks, and a close-knit community.
» Ecorse Homes for Sale: Get affordable homes in Michigan to live.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Michigan?
You will find cheap houses for sale in Michigan under 100K in cities like Flint, Detroit, and Albion. They offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other Michigan cities.
Cities like Battle Creek and Midland are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Michigan.
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Research Methodology for Cheapest Places to Live in Michigan
To rank the top cities in Michigan, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least expensive place to live in Michigan?
The cheapest place to live in Michigan is Flint. It offers affordable groceries, which is 12% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Michigan: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Michigan.
Is Michigan expensive to live in?
Yes, it is. The median home value is $241,165. 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.
Which Michigan city has the lowest cost of living?
Alma has the lowest cost of living, which is 26.3% and 19.5% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
