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Michigan

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 10 categories

VS

New Mexico

Moderate tax burden · COL index 91

Wins 3 categories

New Mexico's top income tax rate is 5.9% vs Michigan's 4.25%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Michigan averages 1.32% annually vs New Mexico's 0.55%. The median home in New Mexico costs $330K vs $250K in Michigan. Politically, Michigan voted Republican in 2024 (R+2.0) while New Mexico went Democratic (D+10.0).

Michigan
New Mexico

Taxes

4.25%
Income Tax (top rate)
5.9%
1.32%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.55%/yr
6%
Sales Tax (avg)
7.82%
No
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

88
COL Index (100=avg)
91
$250K
Median Home Price
$330K
$1,150/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,250/mo
$1K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

445
Violent Crime / 100K
778
1,670
Property Crime / 100K
3,286

Healthcare

#25 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#49 of 50
75.7 yrs
Life Expectancy
74.1 yrs
5.9%
Uninsured Rate
9.2%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#38 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#46 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,300/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$140/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$115/mo
$460/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$460/mo
#47 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#29 of 50

Social Policy

C+
Gun Laws Grade
B-
R+2.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+10.0

Category wins

10

Michigan

3

New Mexico

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People Also Ask

Are more people moving to or leaving New Mexico?

ONE NEW MEXICANS DYING, AND YOU CANNOT DISCOUNT THE FACT THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE LEAVING NEW MEXICO THAN ARE MOVING TO NEW MEXICO FROM WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. OUR POPULATION SHRUNK AT A RATE OF 0.06% IN 2025.

Why is Michigan the best state to live in?

Is moving to Michigan a good idea?

Affordable Cost of Living Compared to many other states, Michigan offers an affordable cost of living, making it a budget-friendly place for families, young professionals, and retirees. Housing costs are particularly low, with affordable home prices and rental rates in many areas.

What is the snowiest town in New Mexico?

Red River is considered to be the snowiest place in New Mexico, enjoying 40 inches of snow over an average of 62 days per year. Santa Fe sees around 22 inches of snow per year over a span of 36 days on average.

Full Michigan Profile →Full New Mexico Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable