Is Michigan or New York a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New York ranks higher overall. Michigan is #37 and New York is #26 out of 50 states. Michigan wins 3 of 11 categories, while New York wins 8.

How does Michigan compare to New York in cost of living?

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

Which state is safer, Michigan or New York?

Michigan has 430 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 364 in New York. New York has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Michigan vs New York?

Michigan's median household income is $68,505, compared to $81,386 in New York.

Michigan vs New York: Side-by-Side (2026)

Michigan

#37·Midwest

45.0Composite Score

VSNew York leads

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

3MI wins

8NY wins

Category Overlay

MichiganNew York

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNY +18.6

25.1

43.7

🛡️ SafetyNY +8.8

49.3

58.1

🏥 HealthNY +34.7

38.8

73.5

🎓 EducationNY +6.1

53.1

59.2

💼 Fiscal HealthMI +11.7

56.2

44.5

📈 GrowthMI +5.1

25.0

19.9

🏠 AffordabilityMI +40.3

75.7

35.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +16.4

42.0

58.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessNY +12.4

17.8

30.2

🚇 TransportationNY +19.1

39.2

58.3

🎭 LivabilityNY +28.2

26.9

55.1

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Michigan	New York	Winner
Population	10,037,261	19,571,216	NY
Median Income	$68,505	$81,386	NY
Unemployment	4.9%	4.5%	NY
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	430	364	NY
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	94	108	MI
HS Graduation Rate	82%	85%	NY
Life Expectancy	77 yr	79.1 yr	NY
Pop Growth	+0.3%	+0.4%	NY

Michigan vs New York: How Do They Compare?

Michigan ranks #37 overall with a composite score of 45.0, earning a C grade. New York sits at #26 with 56.8 and a B grade. New York has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Michigan has 4.9% unemployment and a $68,505 median income, while New York reports 4.5% unemployment and $81,386 median income.

For safety, Michigan's violent crime rate is 430 per 100K compared to 364 in New York. Cost of living favors Michigan with an index of 94 vs 108.

Explore These States

Michigan Full Profile45.0 New York Full Profile56.8 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