Living in Michigan

Michigan isn't just a great place to do business, it's about a lifestyle that offers everything from urban excitement to the great outdoors.

Welcome to Pure Michigan

Few other states offer the geographical diversity and range of activities for people seeking an active, adventurous lifestyle. The state’s two peninsulas are surrounded by four Great Lakes, boasting more freshwater shoreline than anywhere else in the nation. Add that to our four distinct seasons and you'll find endless ways to experience the wonder that is Pure Michigan.

Quality and Affordable Lifestyle

Michigan is the fourth most affordable state in the country with a cost of living that is 10 percent below the national average. Use the cost of living calculator to learn more and discover some of the most affordable places to live in Michigan.

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Michigan is a Top Place for Remote Workers

Michigan’s work ethic is second to none but when the workday is over, Michiganders have a beautiful playground of natural resources in their backyard. Michigan and its communities are investing in programs and infrastructure to set remote talent up for success in the state.

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What Michigan has is what a lot of other places don’t — a chance to live in a great town or a great state and be part of a global development community and also have a great quality of life. I think that’s rare, and that’s exciting.

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Rick Wallace

President & CEO, KLA

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Michigan Strikes the Perfect Balance: Affordable Cost of Living & High Quality of Life

However quality of life is measured - spectacular natural beauty, world-class cultural resources, vibrant cities or diverse recreational opportunities all combined with opportunity for growth - Michigan has it all.

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There is a saying that people who leave Michigan always come back. I think part of that is the culture and the family values. Family is still incredibly important here. It’s very refreshing.

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Ann Vidro

Co-Founder, Creative Studio Promotions

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Award Winning Communities

From bustling downtowns to quaint beachside neighborhoods, Michigan is home to a variety of award-winning communities consistently ranked by top travel and lifestyle publications.

Ann Arbor

WalletHub ranked Ann Arbor the most educated city in America for 2020.

Grand Rapids

Ranked by Rocket Homes as the #1 Best Place to Raise a Family in the U.S.

Detroit

TIME's Word's Greatest Places of 2022

Petoskey

Travel + Leisure's Best Small Towns in the Midwest.

Outdoor Adventure

Did you know Michigan is home to more than 11,000 inland lakes, more than 650 public golf courses and more than 100 public beaches? The state is also home to 1,300 miles of scenic trails, world-class fishing and an international dark sky park.

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Arts and Culture

From Marquette to Monroe, Michigan boasts some of the country’s most important cultural institutions including The Detroit Institute of Arts, Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum and the Motown Museum. Don't forget about West-Michigan's international art phenomenon, ArtPrize as well as numerious artfairs and festivals around the state.

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Excellence in Education

Michigan's excellent educational system continually produces students that are ready to take on the world. Not only does Michigan have a strong K-12 system, it's home to 91 colleges and universities and 70 vocational and technical schools that offer certificates. More than 2,000 Ph.D.s are granted every year in the state, almost twice the national average. Furthermore, Michigan is home to more than 175,000 engineers — the highest concentration in the nation.

Additionally, Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) is one of the nation’s top academic research clusters and the leading engine for innovation in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. An alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, the URC is focused on increasing economic prosperity and connecting Michigan to the world.

According to the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor ranked No. 23 in the world, making it the highest ranked university in the state and among its Big Ten Conference peers.

Michigan is about Opportunity

Top universities like Michigan State draw students and faculty from all over the world with opportunities like Detroit's Apple Developer Academy. In partnership with MSU, the academy is the first U.S.-based developer academy to teach coding, design, entrepreneurship and more.