Livonia is 5% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $96,317
and a population of 94,058.
Berkley is 2% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $113,103
and a population of 15,084.
Grosse Pointe Woods is 14% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $129,442
and a population of 16,177.
Royal Oak is 0% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $95,182
and a population of 57,880.
Rochester Hills is 14% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $119,054
and a population of 76,086.
Troy is 14% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $119,299
and a population of 87,307.
Farmington Hills is 6% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $101,863
and a population of 83,316.
Holt is 10% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $87,827
and a population of 25,275.
Ferndale is 9% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $91,732
and a population of 19,156.
Allen Park is 16% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $80,045
and a population of 28,128.
Okemos is 2% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $97,603
and a population of 25,503.
Sterling Heights is 6% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $78,429
and a population of 133,473.
Farmington is 4% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $94,115
and a population of 11,472.
New Baltimore is 7% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $97,027
and a population of 12,060.
Midland is 22% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $74,906
and a population of 42,461.
How We Rank the Best Places to Live
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average),
income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau),
housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and
climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates).
Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the
US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.