With its breathtaking scenery and over 3,000 miles of coastlines between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, Michigan is one of the best states for nature lovers. The Mitten State also has a thriving economy with exciting employment opportunities in tech, healthcare, and higher education.
The affordable cost of living and relatively low home prices are a major draw for those relocating from out of state. However, picking a place to live in Michigan can be challenging.
As real estate experts, we can recommend a few of the best cities to live in Michigan at eXp Realty. From major metropolises to quaint towns, there is a place for everyone looking to buy a home in Michigan.
The Best Cities To Live in Michigan
Did you know there are over 270 cities in the Wolverine State? Each town has its unique feel, from modern tech hubs to small suburban areas.
Ann Arbor
- Population: 121,000
- Median Income: $33,500
- Median Home Price: $600,000
Ann Arbor regularly appears as one of the best places to live in Michigan. It’s undeniably one of the best Michigan cities for quality of life and economic opportunities. Ann Arbor is also one of the best cities in Michigan because it offers all the amenities of a major urban area without feeling too big or overcrowded.
Most of Ann Arbor has a distinctive suburban feel with a mix of single-family homes and small apartment buildings. It’s also a popular university town, with the University of Michigan providing employment and education opportunities.
Ann Arbor is a great spot for young professionals thanks to its excellent public schools and job opportunities in areas like life science, healthcare, and the automotive industry.
Ann Arbor also has a vibrant small business scene, diverse dining options, and outdoor spaces. Walkability is another highlight in the downtown area, where you’ll find a mix of residential and commercial neighborhoods with a friendly and welcoming feel.
Birmingham
- Population: 21,000
- Median Income: $75,000
- Median Home Price: $1.2 million
Birmingham is a suburb located to the north of Detroit. It’s one of the best places to live in Michigan if you want the feel of a small town while remaining close to the Detroit metropolis. Commuting from Birmingham to downtown Detroit only takes half an hour if you take Woodward Avenue.
While downtown Birmingham is home to many stores and restaurants, you’ll also find some quiet residential neighborhoods with single-family homes and green backyards.
The quality of life is excellent between the diverse neighborhoods, the many green spaces, and the thriving cultural scene. Birmingham is one of the best cities to live in Michigan if you want to commute to work in Detroit and come home to a quiet suburb where you’ll still have plenty to do between shopping, dining, or catching a show at a performing art center.
The local government does a lot to make Birmingham appealing with well-maintained parks, trails, and events. Between the Village Fair and the weekly farmer’s market, you’ll feel part of the community.
Detroit
- Population: 632,000
- Median Income: $21,000
- Median Home Price: $75,000
Over the past decade, re-energization efforts have helped turn Detroit into a thriving city. Michigan is currently experiencing record small business growth, and the city of Detroit is largely driving this phenomenon with a vibrant start-up scene.
You’ll also find a large number of brick-and-mortar business owners who prioritize sustainability and community. These small businesses are breathing life into Detroit neighborhoods, but the city is also an emerging tech hub with some major employers.
Detroit is one of the best places to live in Michigan if you’re looking for diversity. Each neighborhood has its own feel, and there is always something new and exciting to discover between restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, and more.
Green spaces are another major draw for Detroit residents. Even though Detroit is the largest city in Michigan, you’re never far from nature with the Detroit River, Rouge Park, or the Maybury State Park.
Detroit also offers low-cost housing compared to other major urban areas. Lafayette Park near downtown Detroit, University District, Sherwood Forest, and Indian Village are emerging as affordable neighborhoods with plenty of employment and leisure options.
Farmington
- Population: 11,000
- Median Income: $43,000
- Median Home Price: $350,000
In Oakland County, north of Detroit, Farmington is one of the best places to live in Michigan if you’re looking for a small town surrounded by green landscapes.
The city is only 20 miles from downtown Detroit and has all the charm of a small town with its suburban feel. Farmington is equally popular with retirees and young professionals, which results in a diverse community.
It boasts some of the best public schools in the state, and the local government plays an active role in renovating the many historic buildings and maintaining the parks.
On the weekends, residents typically head to Shiawassee Park to exercise on the tennis court, hike on the trails, or go further north to Heritage Park. Farmington is also stocked with several strip malls for those who love to shop.
Farmington offers exciting entertainment options for families with children, such as arcades, laser games, bowling, and unusual museums like Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum.
Grand Rapids
- Population: 197,000
- Median Income: $26,000
- Median Home Price: $267,000
From kayaking on the Grand River to discovering new artists at the annual ArtPrize festival, there’s never a dull moment in Grand Rapids.
This city is approximately 30 miles from Lake Michigan, so you’re not far from many great beaches and watersports. It also offers all major city amenities, including a thriving economy. You’ll find employment opportunities in furniture manufacturing, tech, auto, and food processing industries.
Grand Rapids is a major university town with Grand Valley State University, a Western Michigan University campus, Calvin University, and more.
For beer lovers, city life in Grand Rapids is synonymous with outdoor food festivals and local beers from over 40 breweries.
The art and culture scene is also exciting, with art shows in East Grand Rapids, museums, and galleries. Popular activities include the Grand Rapids Art Museum, John Ball Zoo, and Grand Rapids Ballet, but residents also enjoy over 1,000 acres of public parks.
Kalamazoo
- Population: 73,000
- Median Income: $20,000
- Median Home Price: $272,000
Home to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo is a popular destination for students and young professionals.
Affordable homes and a low cost of living are also contributing to the city’s popularity. It’s relatively easy to find single-family homes in the suburbs and modern apartments in the downtown area at reasonable prices.
When it comes to employment opportunities, the local economy is growing thanks to sectors like life sciences, technology, higher education, and pharmaceutics.
It’s also one of the best cities to live in Michigan if you’re looking for a mix of urban amenities and outdoor recreation options. The local bus system makes it easy to get around the city, while the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is a popular spot for walking, jogging, or biking.
A number of fun community events, from open markets to food festivals, will quickly make you feel at home, and the pedestrian mall at the Crossroads in Portage makes for a unique shopping experience.
Marquette
- Population: 20,000
- Median Income: $19,000
- Median Home Price: $389,000
As the largest city in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette has much to offer between Marquette University, beautiful historic neighborhoods, and direct access to the gorgeous Upper Peninsula coastline.
With Hogback Mountain and Presque Isle Park nearby, it’s one of the best places to live in Michigan for those who can’t get enough of the outdoors. During the cold winter, the UP becomes a popular skiing destination with Marquette Mountain Resort.
Compared to the national average, Marquette is a small city with a low crime rate and a high quality of life. There are employment opportunities in areas like tech and healthcare, and the local population is a mix of families, young professionals, and college students.
Midland
- Population: 42,000
- Median Income: $32,000
- Median Home Price: $193,000
Located 30 miles north of Saginaw, Midland is a small city with plenty of green spaces. Between the Currie Golf Course, Towsley Dike Park, and the Chippewa Nature Center, plenty of options exist for enjoying the great outdoors.
Despite its small size, Midland has amenities like an airport, an excellent healthcare system, and strong public schools. It’s an ideal city for raising a family if you want a suburban lifestyle.
You’ll find employment opportunities in chemical manufacturing, tech, healthcare, and finances, but commuting to Saginaw will open up more possibilities.
Another reason to consider Midland is the slow population growth contributing to affordable home prices compared to the national average.
Novi
- Population: 66,000
- Median Income: $49,000
- Median Home Price: $497,000
Novi is a fast-growing suburb of Detroit located in Oakland County. Thanks to its strong business community, the city attracts a diverse mix of young graduates, professionals, and families.
Novi offers the convenience of living within driving distance of Detroit while giving you access to outdoor recreation options like the Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens or Lakeshore Park. Thanks to the high concentration of shopping options, you can also indulge in some retail therapy.
If you’re looking for a less dense area, looking for a home near Northville to the south of Novi could be a good option. Northville has a walkable downtown with some great restaurants.
Job opportunities are varied, and you can find work in the healthcare, research, automotive, and service industries.
Okemos
- Population: 24,000
- Median Income: $39,000
- Median Home Price: $424,000
Okemos is a census-designated place that is only 10 miles away from downtown Lansing. It has the feel of a small town and tight-knit community, but you’ll also find several shopping and dining options if you don’t mind driving.
Okemos is surrounded by nature, and you can find some semi-rural areas as you head east.
Affordable housing is a major draw, and residents also enjoy the safe and quiet suburban feel of Okemos while living a few minutes away from Lansing and everything the city offers, ranging from education opportunities at Michigan State University and jobs in government, education, tech, and more.
Rochester
- Population: 13,000
- Median Income: $50,000
- Median Home Price: $520,000
Rochester is one of the best cities to live in Michigan if you want to be within commuting distance of Detroit. It’s only 25 miles from downtown Detroit, and Bloomer Park is a buffer that isolates Rochester from other suburbs.
Downtown Rochester has the laid-back atmosphere of a small Midwest town with some excellent restaurants and bars, and you can easily escape in nature thanks to the Rochester Municipal Park and Great Oaks Country Club.
There is a strong job market in industries like retail, education, and healthcare, but many residents drive to Detroit or work remotely. With its highly-rated public schools and events that unite the community, Rochester is a great place to raise a family.
Troy
- Population: 86,000
- Median Income: $49,000
- Median Home Price: $405,000
Troy is a Detroit suburb with an urban feel. It’s an excellent compromise if you want to live close to Detroit while enjoying a safe and affordable lifestyle.
With amenities like shopping malls, movie theaters, and the Troy Skate Park, there is always something new to do for families. The Buffalo Wild Wings Arena is also a highlight if you enjoy professional sports.
The top industry in Troy is automotive manufacturing; you can access a wide range of job opportunities in Detroit. However, the housing market can be competitive.
FAQ
You’ll find some answers to common questions about moving to Michigan below.
What Are the Best Areas To Live in Michigan?
Ann Arbor stands out thanks to this city’s excellent quality of life. You should also consider Birmingham and Troy if you want to be near Detroit or look into moving to Grand Rapids or Marquette if being near Detroit isn’t a necessity.
Is Michigan a Good Place To Move To?
The answer is yes. Michigan remains affordable, and you can find many communities with a friendly atmosphere. Business is also thriving in many areas of Michigan.
Is Michigan a Cheap State To Live In?
You should expect life to be more expensive if you move to an urban area, but Michigan is the 14th most affordable state in the country, making it one of the best places to live if you’re looking for a low cost option.
What Are the Cons of Living in Michigan?
The winter weather is the main drawback of living in Michigan. Cold temperatures and snowfall can make driving challenging and limit what you can do during the winter. Michigan is also one of the most expensive states for car insurance compared to the national average.
How Much Money Do You Need To Live Comfortably in Michigan?
It depends on where you live in Michigan. A study found that it takes an average minimum annual salary of $95,000 to live comfortably in Michigan, but this amount can be lower in rural and semi-rural areas.
Why Do People Move to Michigan?
The affordable cost of living is a major draw for people relocating from out of state, but the Michigan business community is also thriving and resulting in exciting career opportunities in many industries. Some people also seek outdoor recreation options.
The Best Places To Live in Michigan
This list of the best cities in Michigan should give you a better idea of which towns offer the lifestyle and atmosphere you’re looking for.
If you’d like to learn more about these communities, we recommend contacting one of our local real estate agents. These professionals can help you navigate the current housing market and assist you through the process of buying a home in Michigan. You can also check our available properties to get a better idea of what is available in the community of your choice.
