Top 5 Best Places to Live in Michigan

The state of Michigan has a city for everyone, whether you want a college vibe, metro urban environment, or to conclude your day with a dazzling sunset over a freshwater ocean. Michigan boasts over 90 colleges and universities and Michiganders are never more than six miles from a body of water. Sound like a great place to live? I agree! While so many cities offer a wonderful standard of living and way of life, I’ll focus on the top five cities in Michigan and let you decide from there.

As a former resident of the more industrial east side of the state and current resident of the more verdant and laid-back west side of Michigan, I can tell you this state truly has a town everyone could see themselves calling “home.”

This is a deeper dive into five of the top-rated cities to live in based on economics, lifestyle, and a glimpse into what your life could look like if you moved there. Let’s go!

1. Grand Rapids 

The second-largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is home to sports teams, music venues, and shopping with the Grand River flowing through the heart of the city, providing a great place to picnic or just enjoy the flow. 

A. History, Size, and Population

Grand Rapids is the ancestral land of the Anishinaabe, particularly the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodéwadmi people, also known as the “People of the Three Fires.” These tribes were in Grand Rapids longer than history has recorded, thousands of years before settlers from Europe arrived and the first fur trading post was established in 1806.

In the late 19th century, a lumber boom eventually led Grand Rapids to earn the title of America’s Furniture City as it housed 44 furniture manufacturers. Today Grand Rapids is known for its love and support of the outdoors with over 75 parks and year-round recreation programs, as well as a thriving beer culture, leading to its ranking as the No. 1 Beer City in the US.

Grand Rapids has a population of 200,675, a median age of 34, and is ranked number 45 in the US News and World Report Best Places to Live. The average home price is $213,150, which is $68,750 less than the national average. With the cost of living 1% lower than the national average, housing 7% lower, utilities 2%, and groceries 1% lower than the national average, it is easy to see the draw of this fantastic city on a river. 

B. Top Neighborhoods 

As an older city, many of the homes have the character one expects to find in historical places. Even the newer condominiums downtown retain the charm of exposed brick and ceilings. I love walking into new buildings and feeling comforted by the brick and wood that make a place feel like home.

A short drive from Downtown Grand Rapids will land you in one of the most prestigious zip codes in the state, East Grand Rapids.

East Grand Rapids received an overall A+ grade from Niche.com for its outstanding public schools, housing, suitability for families, and low crime rate. While the median home rate of $451,900 is well over the national average, the walkability, restaurants, and proximity to Reeds Lake help justify the cost. Our family loves driving through this area on our way to Rose’s Restaurant for the diversity of the architecture and the beautifully manicured lawns and homes. 

Just outside East Grand Rapids are Eastgate and Eastown with slightly more affordable $320,345 and $308,745 average house prices respectively. 93% of residents own their homes in Eastgate and 75% own in Eastown, with both areas receiving an A+ grade from Niche.com. These areas are considered a bit more liberal than East Grand Rapids and the families and young professionals love the restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.  

Fifteen minutes east of Grand Rapids lies the Forest Hills neighborhood with a population of 28,425. 95% of residents own their homes with a median price of $442,800. This mainly conservative area is gorgeous with rolling hills, amazing schools and parks, and a quaint, smaller-town feeling while being a short drive to the heart of a bustling city. 

Related article

10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Michigan

Michigan is the only state in the United States with two separate peninsulas and five surrounding Great Lakes. Its landscape is diverse, ranging from industrialized skylines to sweeping sand dunes to gorgeous waterfalls. Once home to Henry Ford, it’s also considered the epicenter of America’s…

C. Employment Prospects

With a lower-than-national-average unemployment rate of 5.3%, Grand Rapids is home to many large employers including Meijer, Spartan Nash, Steelcase, BISSELL Homecare Inc., and large healthcare employers Corewell Health and Trinity Health. Education is also a large sector with several public school systems and higher education institutions. 

D. Things to Do

Grand Rapids offers semi-professional baseball and hockey teams, art museums, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, along with the Van Andel Arena which attracts A-list bands. The arena converts to a monster truck course and rodeo location for those who want to do something a little different. Grand Rapids is also home to a stellar symphony and ballet that feature events for all ages, including Christmas Pops and The Nutcracker. 

E. Healthcare

DeVos Children’s Hospital is a nationally ranked 241-bed facility open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Medical Mile just north of Downtown Grand Rapids. Home to many medical research, education, and manufacturing facilities, Grand Rapids is quickly making a name for itself in the healthcare arena.

F. Education and Crime

US News scores Grand Rapids as 7.4/10 on its crime rate index due to a higher crime rate than similarly sized metro areas. Grand Rapids Public Schools received a C+ from Niche.com. Alongside public schools, there are many tuition-based private and faith-based schools. 

2. Lansing

The capital of Michigan is centrally located and a great location for all Michigan residents to visit and live. With its proximity to Michigan State University and proclivity for festivals, Lansing is a vibrant and fun town year-round.

A. History, Size, and Population

Lansing doesn’t have the most auspicious start! Two brothers from Lansing, New York, visited Michigan and returned home to sell plots of land in the distant region. The brothers didn’t share that the land was underwater for most of the year. The New York residents who made the trip to Michigan and decided to stay named the area Lansing Township in honor of their home village in New York. The town began to grow in 1848 when, due to lack of a better choice, it was decided to move the capital from Detroit to Lansing out of fear of a British invasion from Canada. 

115,107 people call Lansing home, and the median home price is $119,144. The average age of residents is 35 and the median household income is $54,380. The cost to live in Lansing is overall 9% lower than the national average thanks to an 18% lower cost of housing, 11% lower cost of groceries, and only 3% higher cost of utilities. 

B. Top Neighborhoods 

Family-friendly Okemos is just outside Lansing and a great spot to live due to fantastic public schools and a variety of activities thanks to its proximity to the MSU campus. Most of the 25,549 residents own their homes and have moderate political views. With an average home price of $304,800, it is considered one of the best places to live in Michigan.  

Haslett, like Okemos, also receives an A+ ranking for livability from Niche.com thanks to the abundance of restaurants and parks that young professional residents enjoy. Most citizens own their homes and have moderate political views.

East Lansing, home to MSU, also makes the list as a great Lansing neighborhood. Most residents rent their homes in East Lansing and enjoy the urban/suburban feel of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. East Lansing schools are highly rated and most of the young professionals in the area have moderate political views as well, making Lansing a very balanced area.

Related article

7 Key Factors to Know About Living in Chicago, Illinois

Before you consider a move to Chicago, you should consider 7 key factors that will increase your appreciation for the city and guide you to the right neighborhoods and activities for you…

C. Employment Prospects

Michigan State University and the capital are the main employment sectors in Lansing, with many supporting players in hospitality and others. The unemployment rate of 8% is higher than the national average of 5.3%. Other sectors include General Motors, hospitals, and schools.

D. Things to Do

The proximity of Lansing to Michigan State University offers a bevy of things to do. From sports events to simply walking around the beautiful campus, MSU is always a great place to visit. From Ethiopian to Italian, there is a wide diversity of restaurants and bars in Lansing waiting for you. There are also over 100 parks and 20 miles of trails along the riverside for residents and visitors alike. 

E. Healthcare

Lansing is home to McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital and University of Michigan Health–Sparrow, along with many other local offices. 

F. Education and Crime

Two Lansing high schools received recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools rankings. Five public elementary, middle, and high schools have a 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Crime in Lansing is slightly higher than similarly sized metro areas.

Related article

10 Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a friendly and casual place to enjoy all four seasons. Best known for its dairy farms and pro sports, it is also home to tech companies and a world-class research university. We assign a HOMEiA Score for each city, which provides an overall assessment of its safety and appeal as a place to call home…

3. Detroit

The largest city in Michigan, Detroit is experiencing a renaissance moment, and I am here for it! Separated from Canada by the Detroit River, the Motor City is a vibrant place to live with a loyal and supportive community, including Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans and the Ilitch family of Little Caesars fame. 

From rehabbed downtown condominiums and apartments to century-old homes, Detroit is a city of history and grit. I love catching a Tigers baseball game in the summer, Lions football in the fall, ice skating at Campus Martius, or a Red Wings hockey game in the winter, and getting out on the water when spring starts coming around. 

A. History, Size, and Population

Detroit officially became a city in 1815 and was instrumental in the Underground Railroad, as it was the last stop for escaping slaves. As the home of the assembly line thanks to Henry Ford, Detroit first established itself as the Motor City and then as Motown when Berry Gordy Jr. started producing the sounds of Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, and more. 

Detroit was ranked the 26th most populous city in the US in the 2020 census and currently has a population of 640,849. The average home price is well under the national average at $96,150, and the median population age is 37. 

The average household income in Detroit is $41,369. The cost of living is 3% higher than the national average, 8% higher for housing, 5% lower for utilities, and 3% higher for groceries.

B. Top Neighborhoods

As a metropolitan area, there are plenty of neighborhoods to choose from. 

Lafayette Park is known for its urban feel and walkability to bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. 70% of residents rent their homes with a median rent of $1,208, which is a little under the national average, and are liberal young professionals.

Another area with an urban feel close to Detroit is Indian Village. While Indian Village is also home to many liberal young professionals, 64% of the 1,402 residents own their homes, which have a median home value of $405,151.

If you are looking for a touch less of that urban feel, Sherwood Forest is the place for you. The average home price is $416,688, and 92% of residents own their homes. As the name implies, Sherwood Forest is home to many parks and is a relaxed and wonderful place to reside. 

Related article

The 16 Best Things to Do in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne is the second most populous city in Indiana and is considered the cultural center of the state. Museums, restaurants, nightlife and a thriving tourism industry help to keep it on the map…

C. Employment Prospects

While Detroit is known as the Motor City, much of the most recent job growth is outside of automotive manufacturing, including education, construction, and healthcare. An unemployment rate of 15.1% is expected to change as the city and surrounding suburbs continue to grow.

D. Things to Do

Home to three professional sports teams–Tigers baseball, Lions football, and Red Wings hockey–Detroit offers plenty of entertainment for residents. It is also home to the Motor City Casino and Little Caesars Arena, which regularly hosts top-notch entertainers. Detroit is home to over 1,900 restaurants including many at the Michelin star level.

Along with the Henry Ford Museum that houses the chair Lincoln was assassinated in; a local favorite is Greenfield Village. This 80-acre site allows visitors to step back in time with historic buildings and enter the lab where Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. I still remember seeing it all from an elementary school visit!  

E. Healthcare

Henry Ford Hospital is a nationally ranked facility serving Detroit residents. Also nearby is the University of Michigan Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. 

F. Education and Crime

The crime rate in Detroit is higher than similarly sized metro cities and ranked 5.2/10 by U.S. News & World Report. Ten Detroit high schools are recognized on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools rankings, with many highly ranked tuition-based schools in the area.

4. Ann Arbor

Most widely known as the home of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is also home to a bustling artistic community filled with outdoor enthusiasts and academics alike. Less than an hour from Detroit, Ann Arbor allows you to have a choice between Tree City and the Motor City in the blink of an eye. Let’s look into why Ann Arbor was recently named the Best City for Quality of Life by U.S. News and World Report! 

A. History, Size, and Population

Founded in 1824, it was named after the founders’ wives, both named Ann. Add in the large number of bur oak trees, and Ann Arbor was born. After the University of Michigan was founded in 1837, the city continued to grow to the current size of 125,664. 

More than 90% of Ann Arbor residents live within a 10-minute walk of a public park that could include a baseball diamond, canoe livery, and/or disc golf course. Besides offering something to do in the fall on weekends, this college town also brings fantastic restaurants such as Zingerman’s and all the liveliness of a college town. For me, a visit to Ann Arbor isn’t complete without bringing home a loaf of Zingerman’s amazing sourdough bread or some brownies. 

Buying a home in Ann Arbor will cost approximately $456,578. Home to some of the best public schools in the state, residents pay 16% more for housing and 9% more for groceries while paying 5% less for utilities. The median household income is $86,628, and 45% of residents own homes.

B. Top Neighborhoods 

Burns Park is a top location for those seeking a historic home on a tree-lined street. With a median home value of $712,349, the area features plenty of walking and biking paths in the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor. 

Close to my favorite Zingerman’s Deli, Kerrytown is full of markets, shops, and cafes all within walking distance. Located just north of Ann Arbor, home buyers spend an average of $675,000 to enjoy this vibrant area.

If you like annual music festivals and a variety of architectural styles, Water Hill is the neighborhood for you. The modern-style spacious homes in the area average $470,000, and are close to the city center.

Related article

20 Affordable Free Things to do in Port Clinton, Ohio

It boasts a cost of living that’s 20% lower than the U.S. average. While Ohio does have some generally desirable cities, Port Clinton is one of the more attractive places to visit. Along with nearby Sandusky and the easily-accessible Lake Erie Islands, the area is fondly known as “Vacationland.”

C. Employment Prospects

An unemployment rate of 3.7% places Ann Arbor under the national average. The University of Michigan is the main employer in the area followed by the U of M Hospital and other healthcare facilities, along with public schools. Reuters and Google are large employers as well, along with a booming software and technology sector. Fun fact: workers in Ann Arbor don’t pay city income tax!

D. Things to Do

Ann Arbor offers so much for residents to enjoy. Countless parks, Big 10 sporting events, walks around campus, and restaurants and coffee shops that come with it all. For more studious types there are plenty of museums, and don’t forget the largest juried art festival in Michigan, the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair, that features over 1,000 artists and live music throughout the weekend. 

E. Healthcare

Home to the highly esteemed University of Michigan Hospital and many other supporting healthcare facilities, the healthcare options in Ann Arbor are top-notch and easily accessible for residents. 

F. Education and Crime

Four of Ann Arbor’s five high schools are noted by U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools, and Ann Arbor students receive a 7.3/10 on the college readiness scale. Ann Arbor also has a lower-than-average crime rate.

Related article

3 Great Reasons and 6 Stunning Places to Raise Kids in Ohio

Ohio boasts lower-than-average home prices and crime rates, great public and private schools, close-knit communities, and something to do for everyone. That’s why it’s one of the top places to raise a family in the United States…

5. Troy

Located on the east side of the state of Michigan, Troy is only 22 miles from Downtown Detroit and home to one of my favorite malls of all time: the Somerset Collection (which I like to describe as Chicago with a roof). Troy has a fantastic blend of urban and suburban offerings along with plenty of green space to go with a thriving business district. Let’s explore Troy together.

A. History, Size, and Population

Named after Troy, New York, and the ancient city of Troy, the earliest recorded purchase of land in Troy was in 1819. Today Troy features quiet neighborhoods and fun places to go such as Meadow Brook Hall and the Troy Museum and Historic Village. 

Over 88,000 people live in Troy, with an average age of 43 and an average income of $128,235. Housing costs are 10% higher, with groceries only 1% higher and utilities 5% lower than the national averages. The average home price is $373,642, and  75% of residents own their home. 

B. Top Neighborhoods 

Troy offers family-friendly residential locations and fun, modern apartments in busier areas of the city. 

Somerset North is a highly desirable location in part due to its family-friendly environment and dog-friendly parks. 95% of residents own their homes and have an average income of $138,000. With great schools and sidewalks for children and families to enjoy, it’s a top pick for many.

Beach Forest is also a desirable neighborhood with average home prices around $850,000, and has held the highest average home property values for nearly 30 years. 

Related article

23 Best Things to do in South Haven, Michigan

Michigan may be most known for Detroit and the automobile industry, but the state is much more. With 3,288 miles along the Great Lakes, it has the longest freshwater coast in the entire country. With so much coastline, there are bound to be many vacation communities nestled along the lake…

C. Employment Prospects

Being close to Detroit, it’s no surprise that automotive is a large employment sector for the area as well as financial services and information technology. Large regional employers include Magna International, Kelly Services, and Flagstar Bancorp, to name a few. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

D. Things to Do

There are many ways to enjoy living in Troy! Young families in the area love the over 900 acres of parkland that feature picnic areas, disc golf courses, hiking, and ways to explore local plant life. For non-nature lovers, the Troy Museum and Historic Village give a look into life for 19th-century settlers, while theaters and trampoline parks are some options available for rainy or cold days. 

E. Healthcare

Ranked third for Michigan and Metro Detroit by U.S. News & World Report, Beaumont Hospital in Troy is also well regarded in orthopedics and other medical specialties. Troy is also close to nationally ranked Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, providing plenty of options for residents to stay healthy. 

F. Education and Crime

Troy Public Schools scored an A+ in all of Niche.com’s grading areas and has a teacher-to-student ratio of 18:1. Troy is also one of the safest cities in Michigan according to the FBI due to its significantly lower-than-national-average crime rate. 

Related article

27 Best Things to do in Canton, Ohio for Families

Canton, Ohio, a city of 70,000 located about 60 miles south of Cleveland, is often overlooked among the rest of the more significant Ohio locations. As the seat of Stark County, though, there are plenty of aspects of Canton that warrant a closer look…

Conclusion

Michigan offers so many great choices of cities to live in, it is hard to narrow them down to only five! Regardless of where you choose to live, you will be able to experience the beauty of all four seasons including fall color tours, skiing and sledding, Big Ten sporting events, and of course, time on one of the multiple Great Lakes located in the state. Take the time to visit and see where you belong in Michigan!