If you’re considering moving states, the concern at the top of your mind is likely going to be what the cost of living will be like. The cost of living can vary greatly depending on the state, which can make some states impossible for some people to comfortably move to. A state’s cost of living can affect all of your choices, such as the type of home you can buy or how much you’ll be able to earn for the work you do. Since in some states you might be spending most of your paycheck on rent, this is something you should look at carefully before you make a decision. Fortunately, if you’re moving to Michigan, you’ll quickly realize that your dollar can get you a lot further than most other states. Most expenses for Michigan residents are less expensive than the national average, including things like groceries, healthcare, and utilities.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living in Michigan.
Housing Costs
Today, owning a home feels out of reach for many. However, in Michigan, the dream of being a homeowner has a good chance of becoming a reality. As much as %70 of residents in Michigan own a home. In the United States, the median home price is nearly $200,000. If you’re buying a home in Michigan, you’ll be able to pay a little less for a home. The average cost of homes that are listed is $189,000, while the average price they sell for is even lower. The value of homes in Michigan is looking to increase over the next few years as well, so it could be a great time for you to make your move. Of course, the number of people who own homes decreases significantly when you look at cities in Michigan. Like any large city, people are more likely to rent than they are to buy a home. Even if you do choose to rent instead of buy, the cost to rent in Michigan is still very affordable.
Average salary in Michigan
Any professional wants to be paid appropriately for the work that they do. Moving states to get a better paying job is typically one of the top reasons for someone to move. Michigan is a great state to move to for better work opportunities, no matter what field you’re in. Although the median household income is slightly below the national average, this amount has been increasing over the past few years for Michigan after the recession. Of course, with the cost of living being lower in Michigan, you might not even feel the difference. Even if you’re working a minimum wage job, you’ll still be making more than the national average. While the minimum wage in the US is $7.25 per hour, you’ll be making $9.45 an hour here. The unemployment rate in Michigan has been decreasing as well.
Cost of education
College-age students and recent graduates know how daunting the cost of a college education can be. In-state tuition is typically the lowest tuition you can get, which is true for Michigan residents as well. Michigan residents attending state schools can enjoy saving significant amounts of money on their tuition. Non-Michigan residents will pay slightly above the national average, but will certainly be getting their money’s worth by attending a Michigan state school. There are plenty of state schools here to choose from as well. Ann Arbor is one of the top college towns in America, with Michigan being ranked as one of the best states to attend college on many lists.
Affordable cities
Moving to a big city is a dream for people all over the country. Of course, these are also some of the most expensive places in the city to live in. Many people are willing to deal with this to be in the center of where everything happens. Access to culture, nightlife, and a bigger variety of jobs are all great reasons to choose to move to the city. In some of Michigan’s biggest cities, you don’t have to sacrifice your entire paycheck just for a small apartment. Unlike huge cities like New York City or Los Angeles, big cities in Michigan are much more affordable. Any of Michigan’s major cities are a great choice to live in, but there’s plenty of other choices around the state. Michigan’s biggest city, Detroit, has everything most people want in a city but at a much better cost. Like the rest of the state, you’ll be able to spend less on rent, groceries, and healthcare, among other necessities. In addition to Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids are two great cities to live in that are also incredibly affordable. In fact, Grand Rapids is one of the most affordable cities in the country to live in.