Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in Michigan
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 722 Michigan ZIPs qualify.
Michigan ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 48505Flint
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 59.7
- ZIP population
- ~18k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- 25 min
2ZIP 48601Saginaw
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 62.1
- ZIP population
- ~32k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- 21 min
3ZIP 48504Flint
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 62.8
- ZIP population
- ~24k
- Avg. temperature
- 47°F
- Avg. commute
- 21 min
4ZIP 48724Carrollton
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 63.9
- ZIP population
- ~1k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- -
5ZIP 48503Flint
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 64.0
- ZIP population
- ~22k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- 20 min
6ZIP 48602Saginaw
Michigan
- Cost of living index
- 65.0
- ZIP population
- ~27k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- 20 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 48506 | Flint | Genesee County | 66.1 |
| #8 | 48507 | Flint | Genesee County | 66.1 |
| #9 | 48607 | Saginaw | Saginaw County | 66.2 |
| #10 | 48203 | Detroit | Wayne County | 66.9 |
| #11 | 48529 | Burton | Genesee County | 67.0 |
| #12 | 48205 | Detroit | Wayne County | 68.5 |
| #13 | 48213 | Detroit | Wayne County | 68.6 |
| #14 | 48234 | Detroit | Wayne County | 68.6 |
| #15 | 48204 | Detroit | Wayne County | 68.8 |
| #16 | 48217 | Detroit | Wayne County | 69.0 |
| #17 | 49011 | Athens | Calhoun County | 69.1 |
| #18 | 48756 | Prescott | Ogemaw County | 69.4 |
| #19 | 49788 | Kincheloe | Chippewa County | 69.8 |
| #20 | 48458 | Mount Morris | Genesee County | 70.0 |
| #21 | 48238 | Detroit | Wayne County | 70.1 |
| #22 | 48224 | Detroit | Wayne County | 70.2 |
| #23 | 48228 | Detroit | Wayne County | 70.3 |
| #24 | 48227 | Detroit | Wayne County | 70.4 |
| #25 | 48708 | Bay City | Bay County | 70.6 |
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Ranked by avg. temperature
- Michigan median ZIP
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- Middle 80% of ZIPs
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