Moving to Michigan statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to Michigan?

Approximately 135,115 people moved to Michigan in 2023, while 155,530 moved out. This represents a net loss of 20,415 residents. The Great Lake State welcomed an estimated 21 movers per day in the same year.

Though Michigan’s population did increase between 2020 and 2023, the majority of this has been driven by international migration rather than domestic. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Michigan ranked as the 20th most desired state for relocation.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Michigan

Evidenced by data collected from several sources and weighted factors, such as quality of life and affordability, Michigan ranks as the 36th best U.S. state to move to in 2024. This falls in line with the net negative migration experienced by the state in 2023. In fact, despite a low average cost of living, Michigan has struggled to attract migrants for years.

Of those moving to the Great Lake State, the majority are relocating to suburban areas just outside of Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing. Major cities like these regularly attract movers for vast and unique job opportunities. Auburn Hills, which is just north of Detroit, attracted the most new residents, adding 1,229 (5% growth) between 2020 and 2023. Over the same period, Wyoming and East Lansing also added 941 and 780 new residents, respectively.

The primary outlier here is Marquette, the largest city on the upper peninsula. This city, though far removed from the state’s Southern population centers, attracted 470 new residents (2.3% population growth) from 2020 to 2023.

The top five cities people moved to in Michigan between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Michigan?

While there is an overall lack of positive net migration to Michigan, affordability and opportunity are still the primary reasons people are moving to suburban areas outside major cities. Economic struggles in Detroit and other parts of the state have made real estate highly affordable, with the median home sale price in the city standing at $92,250 in 2024.

Major cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids offer job opportunities across a wide variety of industries. The largest industries in the state are trade, transportation, and utilities, education and health services and professional and business services. Collectively, these industries employ just over 48% of nonfarm workers. The fastest-growing industry in the state is construction, increasing 6.6% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Michigan housing statistics

With a median rent price of roughly $1,361 and a median home sale price of $249,800, Michigan renters and homeowners can expect to pay 40.6% less than the national median for housing.

However, at 1.38%, Michigan has the 14th highest property taxes nationwide. The tax rate here is more than double that of 16 states, including Tennessee and Idaho. The states with tax rates most similar to Michigan are New York and Rhode Island (1.40%).

In 2021, the average property owner in Oakland County — where Auburn Hills is found — paid $3,848 in annual property taxes. In general, the average property tax paid in Michigan varies greatly by county, with residents in Washtenaw County paying an average of $4,782 annually in 2021, while those in Luce County paid substantially less, averaging $1,001.

Cost-of-living statistics in Michigan

Michigan’s cost-of-living index is 92.7, making it less expensive than the national average. Despite a median household income 9% lower than the national median, at $68,636, the availability of affordable housing helps offset lower incomes. At 4.1%, the unemployment rate is similar to the national average (4.2%).

However, gas prices don’t follow this same affordability trend, being 9.5% higher ($3.57) than the national average of $3.26. Compared to neighboring Ohio, Michigan produces far less oil and natural gas, potentially contributing to higher gas prices. Overall, the Great Lake State ranks as the 44th most green state in the country.

While Michigan’s low cost of living is somewhat offset by the lower-than-average median household income, the availability of affordable housing makes it an appealing option for would-be movers in 2024.

Who lives in Michigan?

An estimated 10,037,261 people live in Michigan as of 2023, making it the 10th largest state in terms of population. This represents a population increase of 3,980 people compared to 2022.

Michigan’s population is skewed female, with women accounting for about 50.5% of the population and men accounting for 49.5%. In 2023, around 5.1 million Michigan residents were female, and nearly 5 million were male.

On average, Michigan’s population is also older (40.4 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. Those between 45 and 64 years old make up the largest age demographic, accounting for 26.6% of the population, or almost 2.7 million people.

White Americans account for the largest share of Michigan’s residents, approximating 78.7% of the population (nearly 7.9 million people). Michigan also has a large proportion of Black residents when compared to other states, at 1.42 million people, or 14.1% of the population. This is followed by Hispanic and Asian residents, who account for 6% and 3.6% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Michigan

Not sure how to start your move to Michigan? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

Though Michigan’s cost of living is below the national average, true costs still vary significantly by region. Cities like Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids are especially expensive, while rural areas in the Northern portions of the state have some of the most affordable housing and utilities in the country. As a recovering city, Detroit also offers enticing housing prices. When in doubt, we recommend looking into your new area’s taxes, housing prices and average utility bills. Sites like Michigan.gov provide resources to help you budget and plan accordingly.

2. Explore the job market

As one of the industrial capitals of the U.S., job availability for the automotive sector and other forms of manufacturing is high in Michigan. Outside of Detroit and other major cities, the health care, education and outdoor recreation industries are also booming. To explore openings in your field, visit Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website for job listings and employment resources.

3. Prepare for heavy snow

While you might be safe from most hurricanes and wildfires, Michigan’s unique lake-effect snow is something to prepare for. In Northern regions and along the Lake Michigan shoreline, snowfall can reach several feet each winter, which is why it’s essential to have sturdy winter clothing, snow boots and shovels. You should also consider winterizing vehicles with snow tires and looking for homes with efficient heating systems. Stay up to date on how much snow is coming your way by signing up for alerts from the Michigan Emergency Management & Homeland Security website.

4. Research transportation options

While personal vehicles are the most reliable way to navigate Michigan’s toll-free roads, major metro areas in Southern portions of the state offer several public transportation options. For example, the Detroit metro area provides access to public transit options like buses and the QLINE streetcar. Visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website for more information.

5. Explore the Great Lakes

Boasting the impressive feat of bordering four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan provides endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. From boating, fishing and hiking to scenic summer drives, there are countless ways to enjoy the state’s natural wonders. Visit the Department of Natural Resources website to discover parks, trails and other outdoor activities along these iconic waters.

6. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Michigan, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.