The 13 cheapest places to live in Michigan in 2024

With the sparkling Great Lakes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the Lower Peninsula, and Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula, there are many reasons to love living in Michigan. If you’re considering living in Michigan, you probably have a budget you want to stick to when renting or buying a home. As of June, the median home sales price in Michigan is USD 272,900.

Don’t worry if that amount doesn’t fit your budget—we have options to help you find a home or apartment that fits. Redfin has compiled a list of the 13 most affordable places to live in Michigan, and they all have a median home sale price of under $272,900. From Detroit To KalamazooLet’s look at which cities are on the list.

1st place: Flint

Average house price: $63,500
Average sales price per square meter: 58$
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $879
Median household income: 35,451 USD
Homes for Sale in Flint, MI
Apartments for rent in Flint, MI

Flint takes the top spot on our list of affordable places to live in Michigan. The median home sale price is just $63,500, nearly $210,000 less than the state average. The city has a population of about 79,600 and offers attractions such as Flint Institute of Arts Museum + Art SchoolThe Sloan Museum of Discoveryand that Flint Farmers MarketYou can also explore the charming downtown area or one of the city’s green spaces, such as Chevy Commons County Park or For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum.

2nd place: Detroit

Average house price: 93,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: $75
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,320
Median household income: 32,498 USD
Homes for Sale in Detroit, MI
Apartments for rent in Detroit, MI

With a median home sale price of $93,000, Detroit is the second city on our list. Detroit is home to around 639,100 residents and is known for many things, from its Motown and automobile history to Detroit-style pizza and professional sports teams. If you are considering moving to this city, be sure to take a tour of the Motown MuseumVisit the Henry Ford Museum of American InnovationStroll along the Detroit Riverwalk and explore Belle Isle Park.

3rd place: Pontiac

Average house price: 127,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 105 $
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $775
Median household income: 34,673 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (28 miles)
Homes for Sale in Pontiac, MI
Apartments for rent in Pontiac, MI

A well-known city in Michigan is Pontiac, where the median home sales price is about $150,000 below the state average. Pontiac is home to around 61,600 people and is a great place to consider buying a home this year. There is plenty to do in this city just north of Detroit. You can explore downtown Pontiac, watch a race at the M1 Concourse, and visit one of the parks like Hawthorne Park, among many other local favorites.

4th place: Lansing

Average house price: 150,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 119 $
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $961
Median household income: 44,233 USD
Next major subway: Ann Arbor (65 miles)
Homes for Sale in Lansing, MI
Apartments for rent in Lansing, MI

Coming in fourth place on our list of affordable cities in Michigan is Lansing. When you live in this city of 112,600, you can visit the Michigan State Capitol and museums like the. RE Olds Transportation Museum and the Michigan History Center. There are also plenty of outdoor activities like exploring Crego Park and walking along the Lansing River Trail.

5th place: Battle Creek

Average house price: 170,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 119 $
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: 1,030 US dollars
Median household income: 44,233 USD
Next major subway: Lansing (50 miles)
Homes for Sale in Battle Creek, MI
Apartments for rent in Battle Creek, MI

Only slightly more expensive than Lansing is the city of Battle Creek. With a population of just under 52,700, there’s still plenty to do in this mid-sized city. Plan to visit green spaces like the Leila Arboretum Society and Woodland Park and Nature Preserve, catch a live event at Kellogg Arena, and explore the city’s shops and restaurants.

6th place: Taylor

Average house price: 180,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 165$
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $775
Median household income: 52,872 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (18 miles)
Homes for Sale in Taylor, MI
Apartments for rent in Taylor, MI

About 63,400 people live in Taylor, which is located southwest of Detroit. The median sales price for a home is $180,000, which is about $90,000 less than the median sales price for a home in Michigan. If you’re moving to the third most affordable city, be sure to check out Heritage Park.

7th place: Kalamazoo

Average house price: 185,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 143 $
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: 1,081 USD
Median household income: 43,222 USD
Next major subway: Grand Rapids (50 miles)
Homes for Sale in Kalamazoo, MI
Apartments for rent in Kalamazoo, MI

Seventh on our list of affordable places to live in Michigan is Kalamazoo. With a population of nearly 73,600 lives in Kalamazoo is a great option for anyone looking for a mid-sized city to call home. Be sure to explore downtown, where you’ll find concert venues, museums, shops, and great restaurants. When you move to this city, you can also stroll through the sprawling Asylum Lake Preserve and explore Spring Valley Park.

8th place: Warren

Average house price: 195,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 160$
Median household income: 51,796 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (20 miles)
Homes for Sale in Warren, MI
Apartments for rent in Warren, MI

If you have lived in Michigan for any length of time, you may know Warren. Nearly 139,400 residents call this affordable city, located north of Detroit, home. Be sure to spend the day at one of the many parks, go shopping, or eat at a local restaurant once you Moving to Warren.

9th place: Westland

Average house price: $218,750
Average sales price per square meter: 180$
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: 1,012 USD
Median household income: 44,233 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (30 miles)
Homes for Sale in Westland, MI
Apartments for rent in Westland, MI

Another great area to add to your list is Westland. With 85,400 residents in this affordable city, Westland is a great option if you want to live in Michigan without paying the premium of a home in a larger city. When you live in Westland, you can explore the Nankin Mills Recreation Area, where you’ll find some hiking trails, and stop at Central City Park.

10th place: Dearborn Heights

Average house price: 224,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 176 $
Median household income: 50,987 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (24 km)
Dearborn Heights, MI – Homes for Sale
Dearborn Heights, MI Apartments for Rent

With a population of around 63,300, Dearborn Heights has a lot to offer if you’re looking to live in Michigan. It’s only about 15 miles from Detroit, so you’ll always find something new to do. Fun things to do in Dearborn Heights include golfing at one of the golf courses or dining at a local restaurant.

11th place: Southfield

Average house price: $225,450
Average sales price per square meter: 156 $
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,079
Median household income: 58,076 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (24 km)
Homes for Sale in Southfield, MI
Apartments for rent in Southfield, MI

Coming in at number 11 is Southfield, another affordable place to live in Michigan. This city has a population of 76,600 and you can visit parks and nature reserves like Beech Woods Park and Bauervic Woods Park or play golf at one of the golf courses. There’s plenty to do in an afternoon or weekend when you live in Southfield.

12th place: St. Clair Shores

Average house price: $236,250
Average sales price per square meter: 203 $
Median household income: 62,935 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (18 miles)
Homes for Sale in St. Clair Shores, MI
Apartments for rent in St. Clair Shores, MI

With a median home sale price of $236,250, St. Clair Shores is another affordable city to consider buying a home in this year. This city is home to about 58,900 people, giving St. Clair Shores an urban feel without the hustle and bustle. If St. Clair Shores is the city for you, be sure to eat at one of the many lakefront restaurants and visit the historic Ford House.

13th place: Dearborn

Average house price: 240,000 US dollars
Average sales price per square meter: 185$
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,390
Median household income: 56,302 USD
Next major subway: Detroit (9 miles)
Homes for Sale in Dearborn, MI
Apartments for rent in Dearborn, MI

The city of Dearborn ranks 13th and last on our list of most affordable places to live in Michigan. For those looking to buy a home, the median sales price is $240,000. If you’re moving to Dearborn, Detroit is the closest major metropolis, located just 9 miles west. There’s plenty to do in Dearborn, like checking out exhibits at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Fair Lanethe home of Clara and Henry Ford, and explore Ford Field Park.

Methodology: All cities must have a population of over 50,000 as determined by the U.S. Census and a median home sales price below the average median home sales price in Michigan. Median home sales price and median sales price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center in June 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data are from the U.S. Census Bureau.