When driving into the state of Michigan, the welcome sign promises great lakes and great adventures.
And, Michigan sure does deliver.
It is not often viewed as a vacation destination, but it is viewed as a great state to raise a family and pursue a career.
And, when it comes to scenic views, there are few states that compare to Michigan.
If you enjoy the outdoors and doing things like camping, hiking, and mountain biking, Michigan may be a great place to call home.
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Pros of Living in Michigan
Every state has certain benefits that it offers its residents and Michigan is no different.
1. Affordable housing
When it comes to budgeting living expenses, housing takes a large chunk of the money.
Michigan offers affordable housing regardless of your income.
In fact, the housing in Michigan is about half that of the national average.
This is, depending on where you stay, of course.
There are pricier areas where the housing costs are substantially higher.
With the exception of a few cities, the average cost of living in Michigan is lower than the national average.
As the index indicates, the major factors that push up the cost of living are transportation, food, and housing.
The typical home value in Michigan was $208,337 as of June 2021 in comparison to $293,349, which was the typical home price nationally.
While the average price of a home in Michigan is not the lowest in the US, it is pretty decent in comparison to other states such as New York or California.
2. A great state for outdoor living
Let’s start with this fact: the coastline of the state of Michigan borders four out of the five Great Lakes.
You would be excused for thinking that you live next to the ocean in this state.
If you are someone that enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, or any of the other outdoor activities, then you will love Michigan.
There is a plethora of National Parks with beautiful scenery and amazing lakes to be discovered.
This is the ideal location for adventure enthusiasts who would love to hike on backcountry trails or go kayaking along sandstone cliffs or even camp overnight in one of the parks.
Learn about another culture, meet like-minded adventure enthusiasts, or just learn about the fauna and flora in this part of the state.
There is a world to discover here.
3. Festivals
There are many reasons to love festivals.
You get to explore new places, meet new people, discover new food, experience a new vibe, and most importantly, have a lot of fun.
Michigan is known for hosting several festivals throughout the year that attract visitors from all over the state, country, and in some cases, all over the world.
These festivals operate year-round, so you are sure to have something to do throughout the year.
For example, one must-visit festival is the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City which is held during the summertime.
The fair hosts several arts and craft stalls and has an air show display, music concerts, and a parade to mention a few.
Or, you could attend one of the biggest culinary events in all of the Mid-west, the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, which is held during the fall.
There are a plethora of other festivals to attend throughout the year that promises great fun, great food, and an amazing atmosphere.
4. There are four seasons
Some states only experience two seasons: winter and summer.
Other states experience more winter and fall than summer or spring.
But, Michigan experiences all four seasons, including the festivals and traditions that go with each of these seasons.
Summers are warm and comfortable with miles of freshwater coastline.
Beautiful hues of green and blue highlight the beauty of this season in Michigan.
And, because of the warm and comfortable weather during summer in Michigan, it becomes a prime tourist destination.
That is why you will often find the beaches packed with out-of-state tourists who flock to this Mid-western state during the warmer months.
Fall is something spectacular in Michigan.
Maple trees turn to majestic colors of bright red, orange, and yellow.
A cinnamon spice latte, pumpkin pie, and creamy comfort food are on the menu all season long.
Not to mention celebrations like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Then there is winter.
Possibly the most beautiful, and of course, the coldest season in Michigan.
But, the beauty that lingers from the snow-covered landscapes leaves life-long memories.
5. Small-town living
There’s a reason people aspire to live in locations that boast a small-town mentality.
That reason is that you will always feel welcomed wherever you go.
Strangers walking on the street and greeting you like they’ve known you their whole life.
People are friendly, helpful, and kind.
Neighbors welcome you to the neighborhood with a freshly baked pie.
Everybody seems to know everybody.
There are wonderful things to look forward to, such as community events.
You will find these in most communities in this state.
You will have a sense that there are people always looking out for you.
Which is quite different when living in a big city.
Locals support local businesses and take pride in their community.
Everyone is well mannered and respect is the order of the day.
Again, this is quite different in a big city.
Most events are family-friendly as this is, for the most part, a family-friendly state.
And, you will always feel a sense of inclusion.
Cons of Living in Michigan
As with any state, there are some downsides to living in this region of the United States.
1. Brutal winters
Michigan has some of the coldest winters in all of the US.
Temperatures drop well below zero in the height of winter with some regions seeing -20°F (-28.9°C).
When winter arrives in Michigan, it is usually very sudden.
Snowfall here is often and you can expect a lot of it throughout winter.
The average snowfall in Michigan is 60.66 inches per year.
The most snowfall is usually in the eastern part of the state and the lower peninsula.
You can expect rain, snow, and blizzards in this state during the winter.
2. The cost of education is rather high
The cost of education in Michigan is relatively high.
It is not the highest in the nation, but it is higher than average.
The average in-state tuition in the state for the 2020/2021 period was $15,295 per year.
On average, this is $374 higher than the national average.
Michigan ranks number 22 for tuition in relation to the rest of the US.
However, there is some good news.
If you are attending college for the first time as a Michigan resident, and your family income is lower than $65,000 per year, with assets totaling less than $50,000, then the University of Michigan will cover full tuition and fees.
3. High taxes
The Michigan income tax bill is higher than the national average.
The state has a 4.25% income tax rate and local cities can add additional taxes to this.
Michigan charges a 6% state tax on purchases and the average property tax is calculated at $1,501 per $100,000 for assessed home value.
Its factors, such as income tax and property tax, which are far above the national average, that push Michigan to be classified as one of the least tax-friendly states in the US.
4. Quality of the transportation infrastructure
Michigan has a big problem when it comes to transportation infrastructure.
The state of the roads is in disarray with potholes, failing structures, and years of disinvestment.
But, there has recently been a $3 billion injection into repairing failing infrastructure.
Though officials believe that this is too little, too late, as the roads will be in a worse state by 2030.
In addition, the investment amount is something that should be invested annually to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of these roads.
In fact, a 2016 report commissioned by Gov. Rick Snyder indicated that the state-required $4 billion investment annually into the failing infrastructure, yearly, to prevent the current situation.
5. Economy
The current unemployment rate in Michigan is 4.3%.
The three main industries in Michigan are manufacturing agriculture and tourism.
There are currently 4.9 million people working in this state.
The state was hit pretty hard by the 2008 recession which it has still not fully recovered from.
Going online to consult reviews, you will quickly learn about the frustration of young college graduates who are leaving the state in search of employment elsewhere.
However, if recent reports are anything to go by, this may all change soon as the state is seeing a historic turnaround in terms of its economy under the leadership of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Pros and Cons of Living in Michigan – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Michigan | Cons of Living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| 1. Affordable housing | 1. Brutal winters |
| 2. A great state for outdoor living | 2. The cost of education is rather high |
| 3. Festivals | 3. High taxes |
| 4. There are four seasons | 4. Quality of the transportation infrastructure |
| 5. Small-town living | 5. Economy |
Michigan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Michigan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crime bad in Michigan?
Depending on where you live, Michigan is relatively safe in comparison to other states.
Over the last year, the state of Michigan has reported an average of 4.8 crime incidents per 1,000 residents.
This number has progressively climbed over the past few years.
However, in the safer cities in Michigan, the average incident per resident is half of the national average.
Property crime, on the other hand, has declined slightly to approximately 14 incidents per 1,000 residents.
But the statistics do differ from one city to another.
What is the most common type of crime in Michigan?
In terms of violent crimes, the state of Michigan reported nearly 40,000 cases of aggravated battery in the 2020 period.
Other more common crimes, but with far lower numbers, include rape, robbery, and homicide.
Which part of Michigan is the most dangerous?
Benton Township, which is located in Berrien County, has notoriously been known as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in all of Michigan.
It is located in the southwest part of the state and is known for having a higher than normal violent crime rate and property crime rate.
What is the absolute number one attraction in all of Michigan?
Mackinac Island is considered to be the top attraction in Michigan.
The Island embodies a more historical way of life, showcasing what life was like before cars and buses.
Tourists can take a ferry to the island and wander the shops and eateries in the small town.
Horse-drawn carriages cart tourists around from one end of the town to the other.
It is simple, beautiful, majestic, and awe-inspiring.
Are there bears in Michigan?
Yes.
There are approximately 12,000 black bears in Michigan.
Most of these bears can be found in the Upper Peninsula.
There are a few in the northern part of lower Michigan.
These bears are easily identified by their black or very dark brown fur coats.
