Michigan moving guide

Where should I move in Michigan?

We ranked 59 Michigan cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Forest Hills

   Home $474,800 · Rent $1,950 · Income $156,618 · Unemployment 1.5%
   83/100
2. 2

   Midland

   Home $192,400 · Rent $990 · Income $74,906 · Unemployment 4.6%
   76/100
3. 3

   Novi

   Home $399,100 · Rent $1,696 · Income $110,938 · Unemployment 3.8%
   72/100
4. 4

   Rochester Hills

   Home $377,400 · Rent $1,606 · Income $119,054 · Unemployment 3.9%
   72/100
5. 5

   Troy

   Home $396,800 · Rent $1,557 · Income $119,299 · Unemployment 4.0%
   71/100
6. 6

   Royal Oak

   Home $305,900 · Rent $1,335 · Income $95,182 · Unemployment 3.1%
   69/100
7. 7

   Auburn Hills

   Home $233,900 · Rent $1,411 · Income $78,727 · Unemployment 5.1%
   67/100
8. 8

   Portage

   Home $243,400 · Rent $1,120 · Income $79,529 · Unemployment 5.0%
   67/100
9. 9

   Wyoming

   Home $203,900 · Rent $1,141 · Income $72,163 · Unemployment 4.1%
   67/100
10. 10

    Holland

    Home $235,800 · Rent $1,143 · Income $72,905 · Unemployment 2.1%
    66/100
11. 11

    Madison Heights

    Home $190,300 · Rent $1,138 · Income $66,726 · Unemployment 2.8%
    64/100
12. 12

    Okemos

    Home $336,800 · Rent $1,250 · Income $97,603 · Unemployment 3.3%
    64/100
13. 13

    Walker

    Home $266,400 · Rent $1,121 · Income $73,835 · Unemployment 2.9%
    64/100
14. 14

    Marquette

    Home $254,100 · Rent $958 · Income $55,825 · Unemployment 4.7%
    61/100
15. 15

    Norton Shores

    Home $214,000 · Rent $1,286 · Income $73,390 · Unemployment 5.5%
    60/100

Statewide, Michigan recorded 1,730 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #28 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Michigan to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.