What Is a Good Salary in Michigan in 2026?
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
A good salary in Michigan is $50,000-$65,000 for a single person. Most of Michigan is very affordable with low housing costs.
Quick Answer by City
| City |
Good Salary |
Comfortable |
Thriving |
| Ann Arbor |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$125,000 |
| Grand Rapids |
$55,000 |
$70,000 |
$100,000 |
| Detroit |
$50,000 |
$62,000 |
$90,000 |
| Lansing |
$50,000 |
$62,000 |
$90,000 |
| Kalamazoo |
$48,000 |
$60,000 |
$85,000 |
Michigan Cost of Living
| Category |
Michigan |
National Avg |
Difference |
| Overall |
90 |
100 |
-10% |
| Housing |
80 |
100 |
-20% |
| Transportation |
95 |
100 |
-5% |
| Healthcare |
95 |
100 |
-5% |
| Utilities |
98 |
100 |
-2% |
Ann Arbor is an exception at 10-15% above average.
Michigan Income Tax
Michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax on all wages.
| Gross Salary |
State Tax |
| $50,000 |
$2,125 |
| $75,000 |
$3,188 |
| $100,000 |
$4,250 |
| $150,000 |
$6,375 |
Simple calculation: multiply income by 0.0425.
Take-Home Pay in Michigan
| Gross Salary |
Federal Tax |
State Tax |
FICA |
Take-Home |
| $50,000 |
$4,000 |
$2,125 |
$3,825 |
$40,050 |
| $60,000 |
$5,500 |
$2,550 |
$4,590 |
$47,360 |
| $75,000 |
$8,000 |
$3,188 |
$5,738 |
$58,074 |
| $100,000 |
$12,500 |
$4,250 |
$7,650 |
$75,600 |
Housing Costs by City
| City |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (1BR) |
| Ann Arbor |
$480,000 |
$1,600 |
| Grand Rapids |
$300,000 |
$1,200 |
| Detroit |
$200,000 |
$1,000 |
| Lansing |
$200,000 |
$950 |
| Kalamazoo |
$220,000 |
$1,000 |
Auto Industry Salaries
| Position |
Entry Level |
Mid-Career |
Senior |
| Manufacturing |
$45,000 |
$60,000 |
$80,000 |
| Engineering |
$70,000 |
$95,000 |
$140,000 |
| IT/Software |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
$130,000 |
| Management |
$80,000 |
$110,000 |
$160,000 |
Michigan’s auto industry provides strong middle-class wages with benefits.
Home Affordability by Salary
| Salary |
Affordable Home |
Monthly Payment |
Available In |
| $50,000 |
$175,000 |
$1,170 |
Detroit suburbs |
| $65,000 |
$230,000 |
$1,520 |
Lansing, Kalamazoo |
| $80,000 |
$280,000 |
$1,870 |
Grand Rapids |
| $120,000 |
$420,000 |
$2,800 |
Ann Arbor |
