Michigan Awards and Rankings

From lively cities to remarkable natural resources, Michigan offers opportunities unlike any other state. Whether you have a growing business, a start-up company, or you are looking for a low cost of living, Michigan ranks at the top.

How Michigan Compares...

The state of Michigan continues to be a prime state for entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and families young and old. See how the great lakes state competes with neighboring states and beyond.

#1 Economy

in a state with a population over 2 million - Bloomberg

#3 State

for Sustainable Development - 2021 Site Selection's Sustainability Rankings

Top 3 State

to dominate EV battery manufacturing in 2030 - CNBC

Top 10 State

for business - CNBC America's Top States for Business 2023

From our strengths in technology and innovation to a business-friendly environment and the Pure Michigan quality of life, Michigan has what it takes to build a championship economy.

Quentin Messer, Jr.

CEO of the MEDC

MEDC named Inc. Power Partner for game-changing small business support

State Acclaimed Recognitions

In addition, Michigan won 2021’s Golden Shovel Award for manufacturing, and the state had received Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award (8-12 million population) for five years prior.

Additional Rankings:

Manufacturing

#1 ranking in Automotive Manufacturing (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Output percentage of GNP (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Employment (Business Facilities)

Business

#3 ranking in the East North Central Region for Site Selection's 2022 Prosperity Cup (Site Selection)
#7 ranking in Site-Readiness Programs (Area Development Top Business States)
#12 ranking in 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index (Tax Foundation)
#12 ranking in 2023 Top State Business Climate Rankings (Site Selection)
#13 ranking in 2023 Top States for Doing Business (Area Development)

Workforce Development

#1 State for fastest foreign direct investment job growth (Global Business Alliance)
#4 State in East North Central Region for 2022 Workforce Development Rankings (Site Selection)
#8 Best state to start a career (BestColleges)
#8 State in America's Best Employers for New Grads 2022 (Forbes)
#8 State for health care jobs (Business Facilities)

Sustainability

#1 State for energy-sector job growth (U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs Report)
#1 Best State for Climate Change (Policygenius)
Recognized as top state for clean energy investments (Climate Power Clean Energy Report 2023)
Recognized for General Motors historic $7 Billion investment in electric and autonomous vehicles (Business Facilities 2022 Impact Award)

Michigan Wins Silver Shovel Award for Transformational EV Battery Project Win

Area Development’s Annual Gold & Silver Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes, and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities.

Regional/Metro Acclaimed Recognitions

Detroit - TIME's World's Greatest Places of 2022

Ann Arbor - #1 Best Place to Live in America

Kalamazoo - #1 Most Affordable Cities (Population less than 175,000)

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport - #1 most customer satisfying mega-airport in North America

Detroit - #2 for Best Business Climate (large metro area)

Grand Rapids - #2 for Manufacturing Hub (Mid Size MSA)

Grand Rapids - #3 for Business Climate (mid-sized)

Lansing - #5 best city in the U.S. for remote work

Detroit - #1 Emerging Startup Ecosystem

Grand Rapids - #7 for Tech Talent Growth

Kalamazoo - #1 in the US with highest concentration of Medical Devices and Equipment, and Pharmaceuticals employment with a medium MSA (75,000 – 250,000 total private employment)

Niles - #5th in the US in concentration of employment in Medical Devices and Equipment with a small MSA (fewer than 75,000 total private employment)

Michigan Means Success

From startup to scale up, Michigan's talent and culture of innovation have created an environment where companies can grow and thrive.

Quality of Life

Detroit Ranks Top in The Best Places to Go in North America & the Caribbean in 2024

Detroit's new hotels, green spaces and cultural attractions have earned it's ranking as one of Condé Nast Traveler's Best Places to Go in North America & the Caribbean in 2024. From a transformed waterfront to a stylish downtown, read how the city's recent developments are making this a top destination.

Michigan Ranks as Top State for Business and Travel

Michigan recieves national accolades for both Detroit and Mackinac Island. Whether it’s a strong business climate or having some of the best places to experience across the globe, Michigan is the total package.

Three Michigan Cities Recognized in Top 100 Best Places to Live

Troy, Rochester Hills and Ann Arbor have been featured in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live 2023. From affordability to amenities and opportunities, learn why Michigan has become a top place to live.

Petoskey ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest”

Ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest” by Travel + Leisure, this cute waterfront town sits near the "tip of the Mitt'' in the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula.

Ann Arbor #6 for Best Places to live in the U.S.

Culling data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Census Bureau, and the FBI, Ann Arbor ranks as one of the best cities to raise a family in America accoridng to Niche.com. The city has some of the best public schools in the country, plus affordable home prices and a high employment rate.

Traverse City Ranked in Top Places to Visit in 2022

From blissful beaches, summer sunbathing and water sports to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking - no matter the season, Matador Network names Traverse City a top place to visit in 2022.

Grand Rapids #1 Best Place to Raise a Family

Rocket Homes teamed up with BestPlaces.net to find some of the best locations to raise a family. With its abundance of opportunities for kids to engage in culture, history, art and nature, Grand Rapids ranked in the #1 spot.

Kalamazoo #1 Coolest City in the U.S. with the Lowest Cost of Living

Purewow.com ranked the Top 10 Coolest Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. for 2022. When comparing entertainment, food and drinks, arts and culture, as well as affordability, Kalamazoo came in at the #1 spot with having it all.