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 June, the median home sale price in Michigan is $272,900.
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 13 of the most affordable places to live in Michigan, and they all have a median home sale price under $272,900. From Detroit to Kalamazoo, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
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Taking the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Michigan is Flint. The median home sale price is only $63,500, nearly $210K less than the state’s average. The city is home to about 79,600 residents, where you’ll find attractions like Flint Institute of Arts Museum + Art School, the Sloan Museum of Discovery, and the Flint Farmers’ Market. You can also explore the charming downtown area or one of the city’s green spaces, like Chevy Commons County Park or For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum.
With a median home sale price of $93,000, Detroit is the second city on our list. 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.
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Median home price: $127,000 Average sale price per square foot: $105 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 $150K 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.
#4: Lansing
Median home price: $150,000 Average sale price per square foot: $119 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 fourth 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.
Only slightly more expensive than Lansing 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.
#6: Taylor
Median home price: $180,000 Average sale price per square foot: $165 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 $180,000 which is about $90K 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.
#7: Kalamazoo
Median home price: $185,000 Average sale price per square foot: $143 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.
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: Westland
Median home price: $218,750 Average sale price per square foot: $180 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.
With a population of about 63,300, Dearborn Heights has plenty 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 activities to do in Dearborn Heights include golfing at one of the courses or grabbing a meal at a local restaurant.
#11: Southfield
Median home price: $225,450 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
Claiming the 11th 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.
With a median home sale price of $236,250, 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.
Median home price: $240,000 Average sale price per square foot: $185 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 13th and final spot on our list of most affordable places to live in Michigan. 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.
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 June 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our
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Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Manager. In her 5 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers’ markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.
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