Cost of Living in Michigan: How Far a $100k Tech Salary Can Take You

Michigan has one of the country’s fastest-growing tech and startup ecosystems. As the number and size of tech companies expand in Michigan, the state’s strong job market makes it one of the best places to work in tech.

Pairing the competitive salaries in tech with the low cost of living in Michigan can foster both a sense of financial security and lifestyle satisfaction. We’re breaking down the numbers to show how the Great Lakes State can provide a high quality of life for those working in tech. 

Cost of Living in Michigan Compared to Other Tech Hubs

Compared to the tech hubs on the coasts and other major cities like Austin and Chicago, the cost of living in Michigan is significantly lower. Here’s the breakdown in other cities:

All salary data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
All other data sourced from the same sites as Michigan data. 

How Much Farther Does a Tech Salary Go in Michigan?

Considering the strong tech salaries and low cost of living in Michigan, it’s easy to see that tech workers are getting more bang for their buck in the Great Lakes State. 

In Chicago, you would need to make 10.9% more than the average Chicago software developer salary to have the same quality of life you can get in Michigan. If you lived in Austin, you would need to make 16% more than the average Austin software developer to achieve the same high-quality lifestyle in Michigan. In New York, you would need to make a staggering 45.3% more and in San Francisco, that number more than doubles to 97.2%.

There’s a huge gap in salary earnings and cost of living in hot tech hubs like San Francisco and Austin. When most of a tech worker’s salary goes to paying for necessities (like rent and utilities), they miss out on taking that vacation they’ve always wanted to go on, saving for a house, investing in hobbies they love, or even the chance to retire early. 

In Michigan, all those things are much more attainable, because a $100,000 tech salary can allow you to fund your favorite hobbies, enjoy the best restaurants, take the vacation of a lifetime, or save for your dream home. In short, a tech salary in Michigan can take you where you want to go.

Image credit: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Learn more about calculating your move to Michigan and the opportunities in the Great Lakes State.

Michigan’s Inclusive Tech Ecosystem and Culture

Besides the state’s ability to offer work-life balance, Michigan has an inclusive and supportive tech ecosystem. From startups to big businesses, the tech community in Michigan is built on a foundation of shared values and resources. The state is home to a variety of tech councils, like Michigan Council of Women in Technology and West Michigan Tech Talent, who work to engage their communities and grow and develop future and current talent. Image credit: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Aykan and Çağkan Ekici moved their startup from Turkey to Ann Arbor, Michigan to tap into a supportive community in manufacturing.

“People are very well connected and it’s so easy to meet the people who are legends in our industry. We can really build a strong network here and have a chance to talk with leaders and share ideas,” Aykan said in an interview. When there are industry experts to connect with right here in the state, work becomes a whole lot easier. 

The state also has programs in place to continue to strengthen the ecosystem. Innovation centers in Michigan include GM’s Global Technical Center and the Michigan Innovation Center in Warren, the Michigan State University Innovation Center in East Lansing, and the upcoming University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit. 

A cornerstone of Michigan’s economic development strategy are 20 SmartZones where tech companies and entrepreneurs can locate resources and business accelerators within their community. These SmartZones are built on public-private partnerships to advance technology and economic growth. WIth SmartZones, entrepreneurs in Michigan can easily tap into their community and find partners that can provide essential services to startups, funding and grant opportunities, and advance innovation. 

Michigan’s inclusive tech community and lower cost of living offer tech workers the opportunity to grow their careers — or businesses — while enjoying their hobbies, putting money in savings, and getting the support they need to achieve their goals.