Is Massachusetts or Michigan a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Massachusetts ranks higher overall. Massachusetts is #12 and Michigan is #37 out of 50 states. Massachusetts wins 9 of 11 categories, while Michigan wins 2.

How does Massachusetts compare to Michigan in cost of living?

Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 108, while Michigan's is 94 (100 = national average). Michigan is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Massachusetts or Michigan?

Massachusetts has 345 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 430 in Michigan. Massachusetts has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Massachusetts vs Michigan?

Massachusetts's median household income is $101,370, compared to $68,505 in Michigan.

Massachusetts vs Michigan: Side-by-Side (2026)

B+

Massachusetts

#12·Northeast

70.3Composite Score

VSMassachusetts leads

Michigan

#37·Midwest

45.0Composite Score

9MA wins

2MI wins

Category Overlay

MassachusettsMichigan

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMA +32.8

57.9

25.1

🛡️ SafetyMA +11.4

60.7

49.3

🏥 HealthMA +59.2

98.0

38.8

🎓 EducationMA +46.9

100.0

53.1

💼 Fiscal HealthMI +6.1

50.1

56.2

📈 GrowthMA +4.8

29.8

25.0

🏠 AffordabilityMI +49.7

26.0

75.7

🌿 EnvironmentMA +12.4

54.4

42.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessMA +14.2

32.0

17.8

🚇 TransportationMA +16.2

55.4

39.2

🎭 LivabilityMA +16.3

43.2

26.9

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Massachusetts	Michigan	Winner
Population	7,001,399	10,037,261	MI
Median Income	$101,370	$68,505	MA
Unemployment	4.9%	4.9%	Tie
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	345	430	MA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	108	94	MI
HS Graduation Rate	90%	82%	MA
Life Expectancy	80.4 yr	77 yr	MA
Pop Growth	+0.9%	+0.3%	MA

Massachusetts vs Michigan: How Do They Compare?

Massachusetts ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 70.3, earning a B+ grade. Michigan sits at #37 with 45.0 and a C grade. Massachusetts has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Massachusetts has 4.9% unemployment and a $101,370 median income, while Michigan reports 4.9% unemployment and $68,505 median income.

For safety, Massachusetts's violent crime rate is 345 per 100K compared to 430 in Michigan. Cost of living favors Michigan with an index of 94 vs 108.

Explore These States

Massachusetts Full Profile70.3 Michigan Full Profile45.0 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022