Is Michigan or Virginia a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Virginia ranks higher overall. Michigan is #37 and Virginia is #9 out of 50 states. Michigan wins 1 of 11 categories, while Virginia wins 10.

How does Michigan compare to Virginia in cost of living?

Michigan has a cost of living index of 94, while Virginia's is 101 (100 = national average). Michigan is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Michigan or Virginia?

Michigan has 430 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 201 in Virginia. Virginia has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Michigan vs Virginia?

Michigan's median household income is $68,505, compared to $87,106 in Virginia.

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

Michigan

#37·Midwest

45.0Composite Score

VSVirginia leads

Virginia

#9·South

74.3Composite Score

1MI wins

10VA wins

Category Overlay

MichiganVirginia

Category Scores

💰 EconomyVA +47.1

25.1

72.2

🛡️ SafetyVA +30.6

49.3

79.9

🏥 HealthVA +38.8

38.8

77.6

🎓 EducationVA +28.5

53.1

81.6

💼 Fiscal HealthVA +6.6

56.2

62.8

📈 GrowthVA +25.4

25.0

50.4

🏠 AffordabilityMI +18.3

75.7

57.4

🌿 EnvironmentVA +6.0

42.0

48.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessVA +2.3

17.8

20.1

🚇 TransportationVA +4.9

39.2

44.1

🎭 LivabilityVA +4.5

26.9

31.4

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Michigan	Virginia	Winner
Population	10,037,261	8,642,274	MI
Median Income	$68,505	$87,106	VA
Unemployment	4.9%	2.9%	VA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	430	201	VA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	94	101	MI
HS Graduation Rate	82%	89%	VA
Life Expectancy	77 yr	78.4 yr	VA
Pop Growth	+0.3%	+0.8%	VA

Michigan vs Virginia: How Do They Compare?

Michigan ranks #37 overall with a composite score of 45.0, earning a C grade. Virginia sits at #9 with 74.3 and a A grade. Virginia has the edge overall, winning 10 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Michigan has 4.9% unemployment and a $68,505 median income, while Virginia reports 2.9% unemployment and $87,106 median income.

For safety, Michigan's violent crime rate is 430 per 100K compared to 201 in Virginia. Cost of living favors Michigan with an index of 94 vs 101.

Explore These States

Michigan Full Profile45.0 Virginia Full Profile74.3 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