Michigan Town Ranked #2 Best to Live on Less Than $2,000 a Month

The cost of living can be astronomical in certain areas of the country, including Michigan. That's especially true if you want to buy a house or rent a nice place. So, is there anywhere in America that you can comfortably live on $2,000 a month anymore? Apparently, and thankfully, the answer is yes, and in Michigan. There's a new study out that highlights the best areas of the country where you can get by on less than $2,000 a month. So, let's get into it.

The research is from GoBankingRates.com. They looked at cities across America in terms of livability. That's "defined as having a high average score in the following categories: amenities, crime, cost of living, weather and education." Then, GOBankingRates brought together data from ApartmentList, Sperling’s Best and the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 Consumer Expenditure Survey to determine the cost of "essential expenses such as rent, groceries and healthcare. To qualify, the city also had to have a population that was 10% or more over the age of 65 and a livability score of 65 or higher from AreaVibes." Their study is actually on the best cities to retire on $2,000 or less per month. But, if you are still working, it applies, too.

Let's look at the No. 1 city in America to live on less than $2,000 a month. It's Lake Charles, Louisiana. There, GOBankingRates calculates that the monthly expenditures are $1,566.43, the 2022 average one-bedroom Rent is $696.33, the livability is 70, the monthly grocery cost is $407.13 and the monthly healthcare cost is $462.97.

Well, guess what? No. 2 on the list is actually Lansing, Michigan. As someone who grew up in Lansing, I'm kind of surprised, because it doens't seem super affordable, but these are the numbers, According to GOBankingRates, in Lansing, monthly expenditures are $1,610.05, the 2022 average one-bedroom rent is $811.44, the livability is 66, the monthly grocery cost is $399.25 and the monthly healthcare cost is $399.36. Find the full list of all the cities where you can live for under $2,000 a month here.

For those currently in the process of job hunting, the market is working in your favor right now. There are plenty of job opportunities available. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget came together for a conference in Lansing on Tuesday. The event aimed to chart the course of the state's employment landscape for the next seven years. Additionally, they’re working to ensure people know about the jobs currently in high demand.

Yesterday, the DTMB and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity released two publications: Michigan’s Hot 50 and Michigan’s Career Outlook. Michigan’s Hot 50 brochure provides a comprehensive list of careers projected to have high demand and offer competitive wages, with the projections extending until 2030. This informative resource includes key details such as job titles, projected annual job openings, hourly wage ranges, insights into job growth, and the necessary education or training levels.

For people with a high school diploma and short-term training, several careers are expected to experience heightened demand over the next eight years. These careers include amusement and recreation attendants, animal caretakers, exercise trainers, group fitness instructors, bartenders, hosts, and hostesses.

On the other hand, for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the demand is projected to be strong for professions including general and operations managers, accountants, auditors, medical and health services managers, physician assistants, and industrial engineers.

The information gathered in these lists is valuable for students and job seekers. It assists them in making informed decisions about their future paths.

"It is our goal to provide our education and workforce partners with the information they need to help Michiganders find their path to high-demand, high-wage jobs," Scott Powell, director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, said in a news release.

Check out these five most in-demand jobs in Michigan, as highlighted by Michigan's Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. See the complete list here.

The projected annual job openings amount to 6,545, offering an hourly wage spanning from $29 to $72. Anticipated growth from 2020 to 2030 stands at 11.9%. The usual educational and training prerequisites beyond high school for this role include a bachelor's degree alongside relevant work experience.

The projected annual job openings amount to 7,635, offering an hourly wage spanning from $19 to $29. Anticipated growth from 2020 to 2030 stands at 12.7%. The usual educational and training prerequisites beyond high school for this role include a postsecondary nondegree award, short-term on-the-job training, or a license.

The projected annual job openings amount to 8,240, offering an hourly wage spanning from $21 to $40. Anticipated growth from 2020 to 2030 stands at 9.6%. The usual educational and training prerequisites beyond high school for this role include moderate on-the-job training.

The projected annual job openings amount to 6,345, offering an hourly wage spanning from $30 to $38. Anticipated growth from 2020 to 2030 stands at 7.9%. The usual educational and training prerequisites beyond high school for this role include a bachelor's degree or s license.

The projected annual job openings amount to 1,420, offering an hourly wage spanning from $19 to $30. Anticipated growth from 2020 to 2030 stands at 12%. The usual educational and training prerequisites beyond high school for this role include a bachelor's degree or s license.