Michigan
Michigan ranks #37 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 46.1/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (76/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (18/100).
How Does Michigan Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Michigan
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Troy | A+ | 64.0 | 87,338 | $106,965 | 89.4 | 98 |
| 105 | Rochester Hills | A | 63.4 | 75,995 | $105,784 | 76.5 | 98 |
| 129 | Novi | A | 62.4 | 66,320 | $97,092 | 97.8 | — |
| 166 | Farmington Hills | A | 61.2 | 82,539 | $90,598 | 158.1 | 98 |
| 212 | Livonia | B+ | 59.8 | 92,184 | $95,003 | 261.2 | 98 |
| 278 | Ann Arbor | B+ | 58.0 | 119,380 | $76,207 | 314.2 | 98 |
| 469 | Sterling Heights | B | 53.6 | 133,308 | $73,702 | 168.5 | 98 |
| 617 | Wyoming | C+ | 50.4 | 77,452 | $73,950 | 499.3 | — |
| 663 | Westland | C | 49.2 | 82,558 | $55,821 | 522.4 | 98 |
| 702 | Dearborn | C | 48.3 | 105,818 | $51,670 | 301.7 | 98 |
| 716 | Southfield | C | 48.0 | 75,699 | $65,497 | 547 | 91.4 |
| 763 | Dearborn Heights | C | 46.5 | 62,099 | $61,035 | 423.3 | — |
| 781 | Grand Rapids | C | 45.8 | 196,587 | $70,258 | 882.1 | 95.2 |
| 794 | Warren | C | 45.5 | 136,660 | $60,572 | 569.4 | 98 |
| 854 | Taylor | D | 43.3 | 62,405 | $59,537 | 731.6 | 98 |
| 907 | Lansing | D | 41.3 | 111,269 | $55,197 | 1412.1 | 92.8 |
| 977 | Kalamazoo | F | 36.1 | 73,122 | $50,044 | 1258.2 | 94 |
| 990 | Pontiac | F | 34.3 | 61,914 | $42,791 | 1092.6 | 98 |
| 998 | Detroit | F | 28.8 | 633,221 | $38,080 | 2050.9 | 98 |
| 1000 | Flint | F | 26.8 | 79,654 | $33,141 | 1427.4 | 89.8 |
Best Cities in Michigan for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester Hills | 65.1 | 58.1 | 95.7 | 65.2 |
| 2 | Troy | 65.0 | 58.2 | 90.9 | 65.0 |
| 3 | Farmington Hills | 65.0 | 68.7 | 88.5 | 67.6 |
| 4 | Novi | 64.3 | 63.0 | 94.4 | 57.4 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | 63.0 | 69.3 | 74.0 | 63.9 |
More Midwest States
Michigan Rankings Overview
Michigan earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 46.1 out of 100, ranking #37 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (76/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (18/100).
Economy & Employment in Michigan
With an unemployment rate of 4.9% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Michigan performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $68,505, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Michigan
Michigan's violent crime rate of 430 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Michigan
Michigan ranks #31 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #24 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Michigan is 77 years, and the high school graduation rate is 82%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Michigan
Michigan's total tax burden is 8.25% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6.65%. The effective property tax rate is 1.35% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6%.
Housing & Affordability in Michigan
The median home price in Michigan is $249,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 94 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
Environment in Michigan
Michigan has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 13% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 10.5 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Michigan
Michigan's population growth rate is +0.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.8 per 1,000 residents. 91.2% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Michigan
The top-ranked cities in Michigan based on our composite scoring are Troy, Rochester Hills, and Novi. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Michigan's overall ranking?
Michigan ranks #37 out of 50 states with a composite score of 46.1/100 and a grade of C.
Is Michigan a good place to live?
Michigan scores 46.1/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Michigan?
The violent crime rate in Michigan is 430 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Michigan's economy compare?
Michigan's median household income is $68,505 with an unemployment rate of 4.9%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Michigan?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Michigan are Troy, Rochester Hills, and Novi.
How does Michigan rank for families?
Michigan ranks #32 of 50 states for families with a score of 53.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Michigan rank for retirees?
Michigan ranks #34 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 54.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Michigan rank for remote workers?
Michigan ranks #43 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 47.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.