3 Michigan Cities Among America’s Most Affordable Places to Live

With more people moving to cities and the cost of living skyrocketing, finding a decent and affordable place to live feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. A recent study revealed that a significant number of cities with affordable living options are concentrated in the Midwest and Eastern regions of the country. According to the findings, these areas offer a higher likelihood of finding budget-friendly cities than other parts of the nation.

Scholaroo, a platform dedicated to helping students find scholarships, conducted an analysis of 150 cities across the United States. Their study examined factors such as the cost of living, median home value, and rental costs to identify the most affordable cities to live in the U.S. It’s worth mentioning that their study is not just about the most affordable cities to live in. They actually looked at a bunch of different categories and picked out the best cities too.

When it comes to affordability, three Michigan cities, Detroit (ranked #2) and Lansing (ranked #3), and Kalamazoo (ranked #5) shine bright. These cities are top contenders in terms of providing budget-friendly living options, according to the study. The study also revealed that Detroit boasts the lowest average house-buying costs among the cities examined. This means that for those looking to purchase a home, Detroit offers the most budget-friendly options compared to other locations.

Wilmington, Delaware, has clinched the title of the cheapest city in the United States. This distinction is due to its exceptionally low rental costs and the added benefit of having no sales taxes within the city, says the study.

Several other cities were highlighted in the study. Coming in at the fourth spot is Jackson, Mississippi, followed by Dayton, Ohio at number six. Brownsville, Texas, secured the seventh rank, while Green Bay, Wisconsin, claimed the eighth position. Fort Wayne, Indiana, took the ninth spot, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, rounded off the top ten. These cities have all been recognized for their affordability, making them attractive options for those seeking a cost-effective living.

Take a look at the full study showcasing the Most Affordable Cities to Live In, along with other fascinating categories like the Best Cities to Live In here.

Wealthy areas are the kind of places where you’ll find beautiful homes, well-manicured streets, and a sense of luxury in the air. Along with the stunning residences, these areas offer top-notch services like private schools, exclusive clubs, and upscale shopping centers. Safety is a priority too, with gated communities, private security, and advanced security systems ensuring peace of mind. Of course, you can’t forget about wealthy areas flooded with well-kept parks, golf courses, and country clubs. But what is the wealthiest county in Michigan?

A recent study by SmartAsset shows the wealthiest counties in the U.S. To figure out which counties are rolling in the dough, they looked at investment income, property value, and how much cash each person is raking in on average.

"We started the analysis by calculating the Investment Index for each county by evenly weighing the Ordinary Dividends, Qualified Dividends, and Net Capital Gains. From there, we calculated the Median Home Value and the Per Capita Income for each county, and ranked them on all three metrics," SmartAsset wrote.

The study revealed that Leelanau County, nestled near Traverse City and known for its wineries along the Lake Michigan coast, takes the crown as Michigan's wealthiest county. With its picturesque Leelanau Peninsula and a population of approximately 23,000, this small northern Michigan county has the highest per-capita wealth in the state. Nationally, Leelanau County had an overall rank of 266.

When it comes to the richest counties in the nation, California counties consistently find themselves at the top of the ranking. San Mateo County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, and Marin County all secured spots in the top five richest counties in the United States. However, breaking California's streak, Nantucket County in Massachusetts claimed the fifth spot on the ranking.

Check out the full study here. And take a look below to see which counties in Michigan are the wealthiest.

Median Income: $69, 393
Investment Income: $47, 522
Median Home Value: $373, 836
National Rank: 497

Median Income: $86, 275
Investment Income: $48, 897
Median Home Value: $334, 448
National Rank: 310

Median Income: $88, 908
Investment Income: $25, 044
Median Home Value: $362, 766
National Rank: 287

Median Income: $79, 198
Investment Income: $44, 796
Median Home Value: $373, 627
National Rank: 271

Median Income: $72, 709
Investment Income: $56, 192
Median Home Value: $509, 272
National Rank: 266