With the sparkling Great Lakes, the lower peninsula’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the upper peninsula’s Hiawatha National Forest, there are plenty of reasons to love living in Michigan. If you’re considering residing in Michigan, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of July, the median home sale price in Michigan is $289,000.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has collected a list of the 15 of the most affordable places to live in Michigan, and they all have a median home sale price under $289,000. From Detroit to Grand Rapids, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: Detroit
Median home price: $90,000
Average sale price per square foot: $78
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,320
Median household income: $32,498
Detroit, MI homes for sale
Detroit, MI apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $90,000, Detroit claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Michigan. Detroit is home to roughly 639,100 residents and is known for many things, from its Motown and automotive histories to Detroit-style pizza and professional sports teams. If you’re considering moving to this city make sure to take a tour of the Motown Museum, visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, stroll along the Detroit Riverwalk, and explore Belle Isle Park.
#2: Lansing
Median home price: $140,000
Average sale price per square foot: $107
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $961
Median household income: $44,233
Nearest major metro: Ann Arbor (65 miles)
Lansing, MI homes for sale
Lansing, MI apartments for rent
Taking the second place on our list of affordable cities to live in Michigan is Lansing. When living in this city of 112,600 people, you can visit the Michigan State Capitol building and museums like the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and the Michigan History Center. There are also plenty of outdoor activities such as exploring Crego Park and strolling along the Lansing River Trail.
#3: Taylor
Median home price: $170,000
Average sale price per square foot: $143
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $775
Median household income: $52,872
Nearest major metro: Detroit (18 miles)
Taylor, MI homes for sale
Taylor, MI apartments for rent
About 63,400 people reside in Taylor, which is located just southwest of Detroit. The median home sale price is $170,000 which is about $120K less than the median home sale price in Michigan. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable city, make sure to visit Heritage Park.
#4: Battle Creek
Median home price: $182,169
Average sale price per square foot: $147
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,030
Median household income: $44,233
Nearest major metro: Lansing (50 miles)
Battle Creek, MI homes for sale
Battle Creek, MI apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Taylor is the city of Battle Creek. With a population close to 52,700, there is still plenty to do in this mid-sized city. Plan to visit green spaces like Leila Arboretum Society and the Woodland Park and Nature Preserve, see a live event at Kellogg Arena, and explore the shops and restaurants in town.
#5: Westland
Median home price: $190,000
Average sale price per square foot: $164
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,012
Median household income: $44,233
Nearest major metro: Detroit (30 miles)
Westland, MI homes for sale
Westland, MI apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Westland. With 85,400 people living in this affordable town, Westland is a great option to consider when looking to live in Michigan without paying the premium for a home in a larger city. Living in Westland, you can explore Nankin Mills Recreation Area where you’ll find a few trails, and stop by Central City Park.
#6: Pontiac
Median home price: $201,000
Average sale price per square foot: $123
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $775
Median household income: $34,673
Nearest major metro: Detroit (28 miles)
Pontiac, MI homes for sale
Pontiac, MI apartments for rent
A recognizable Michigan city is Pontiac, where the median home sale price is about $88K less than the state’s average. Home to roughly 61,600 people, Pontiac is a great place to consider buying a home this year. There are lots of activities to do in this city which is just north of Detroit. You can check out downtown Pontiac, see a race at the M1 Concourse, and visit one of the parks like Hawthorne Park, among many other local favorites.
#7: Kalamazoo
Median home price: $210,000
Average sale price per square foot: $158
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,081
Median household income: $43,222
Nearest major metro: Grand Rapids (50 miles)
Kalamazoo, MI homes for sale
Kalamazoo, MI apartments for rent
Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable places to live in Michigan is Kalamazoo. With a population of close to 73,600, living in Kalamazoo is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city to call home. Don’t miss out on exploring the downtown area where you’ll find concert venues, museums, local shops, and stellar restaurants. You can also spend time strolling through the expansive Asylum Lake Preserve and checking out Spring Valley Park if you move to this city.
#8: Warren
Median home price: $211,000
Average sale price per square foot: $160
Median household income: $51,796
Nearest major metro: Detroit (20 miles)
Warren, MI homes for sale
Warren, MI apartments for rent
If you’ve been living in Michigan for some time, you might know of Warren. Almost 139,400 residents call this affordable city home, which is located just north of Detroit. Be sure to spend the day at one of the many parks, go shopping, or eat at a local restaurant once you move to Warren.
#9: Dearborn Heights
Median home price: $215,000
Average sale price per square foot: $175
Median household income: $50,987
Nearest major metro: Detroit (15 miles)
Dearborn Heights, MI homes for sale
Dearborn Heights, MI apartments for rent
With a population of about 63,300, Dearborn Heights is a great place to consider living in Michigan. Fun activities to do in Dearborn Heights include golfing at one of the courses or grabbing a meal at a local restaurant.
#10: Southfield
Median home price: $222,500
Average sale price per square foot: $156
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,079
Median household income: $58,076
Nearest major metro: Detroit (15 miles)
Southfield, MI homes for sale
Southfield, MI apartments for rent
Taking the 10th spot is Southfield, another one of the affordable places to live in Michigan. This city has a population of 76,600 and you can visit parks and nature preserves like Beech Woods Park and Bauervic Woods Park, or golf at one of the courses. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in Southfield.
#11: St. Clair Shores
Median home price: $273,250
Average sale price per square foot: $182
Median household income: $62,935
Nearest major metro: Detroit (18 miles)
St. Clair Shores, MI homes for sale
St. Clair Shores, MI apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $273,250, St. Clair Shores is another affordable city to consider buying a home in this year. There are about 58,900 people living in this city, giving St. Clair Shores a city-like feel without the hustle and bustle. If St. Clair Shores is the city for you, be sure to grab a meal at one of the many lakefront restaurants, and visit the historic Ford House.
#12: Dearborn
Median home price: $240,000
Average sale price per square foot: $181
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,390
Median household income: $56,302
Nearest major metro: Detroit (9 miles)
Dearborn, MI homes for sale
Dearborn, MI apartments for rent
The city of Dearborn takes the 12th spot on our list. For those looking to buy a home, the median sale price is $240,000. If you move to Dearborn, the nearest major metro is Detroit which is just 9 miles west. There is plenty to do in Dearborn like checking out the exhibits at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, touring Fair Lane, the home of Clara and Henry Ford, and exploring Ford Field Park.
#13: Wyoming
Median home price: $273,250
Average sale price per square foot: $210
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,350
Median household income: $57,088
Nearest major metro: Grand Rapids (6 miles)
Wyoming, MI homes for sale
Wyoming, MI apartments for rent
The city of Wyoming is another awesome affordable city to consider residing in. With a median home sale price of $273,250 and a population of 76,500 there are plenty of reasons that might convince you to move to Wyoming. You’ll find lots of activities, such as visiting some of the parks in town like Lamar Park, Battjes Park, Pinery Park, and Palmer Park, and golfing at one of the courses.
#14: Sterling Heights
Median home price: $273,500
Average sale price per square foot: $194
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,212
Median household income: $66,346
Nearest major metro: Detroit (24 miles)
Sterling Heights, MI homes for sale
Sterling Heights, MI apartments for rent
In the 14th spot on our list is Sterling Heights. There are about 134,300 residents in the city, and there is a lot to do in the city whether you’re looking to spend time outdoors or inside. For example, you can explore the tranquil Clinton River Park North, golf at one of the courses, or grab a meal at a local spot.
#15: Grand Rapids
Median home price: $279,900
Average sale price per square foot: $203
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,150
Median household income: $51,333
Nearest major metro: Detroit (157 miles)
Grand Rapids, MI homes for sale
Grand Rapids, MI apartments for rent
Taking the 15th and final spot on our list of most affordable places to live in Michigan is Grand Rapids. The median home sale price in Grand Rapids is $279,900, and there are about 198,900 residents in the area. If you’re looking for something to do while living in Grand Rapids, make sure to check out Ah-Nab-Awen Park along the Grand River where you’ll find historic sites and museums. You can also admire the artwork at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and explore Riverside Park where you can hike, bike, and bird-watch.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Michigan. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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