1MI wins
10WA wins
Category Overlay
MichiganWashington
Category Scores
💰 EconomyWA +21.8
MI
25.1
WA
46.9
🛡️ SafetyWA +7.8
MI
49.3
WA
57.1
🏥 HealthWA +49.0
MI
38.8
WA
87.8
🎓 EducationWA +4.0
MI
53.1
WA
57.1
💼 Fiscal HealthWA +8.1
MI
56.2
WA
64.3
📈 GrowthWA +14.1
MI
25.0
WA
39.1
🏠 AffordabilityMI +39.4
MI
75.7
WA
36.3
🌿 EnvironmentWA +31.1
MI
42.0
WA
73.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +17.6
MI
17.8
WA
35.4
🚇 TransportationWA +17.2
MI
39.2
WA
56.4
🎭 LivabilityWA +12.1
MI
26.9
WA
39.0
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Michigan | Washington | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,037,261 | 7,812,880 | MI |
| Median Income | $68,505 | $90,325 | WA |
| Unemployment | 4.9% | 4.9% | Tie |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 430 | 372 | WA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 94 | 109 | MI |
| HS Graduation Rate | 82% | 82% | Tie |
| Life Expectancy | 77 yr | 79.2 yr | WA |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +1% | WA |
Michigan vs Washington: How Do They Compare?
Michigan ranks #37 overall with a composite score of 45.0, earning a C grade. Washington sits at #22 with 63.2 and a B grade. Washington 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 Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.
For safety, Michigan's violent crime rate is 430 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Michigan with an index of 94 vs 109.
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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