Best overall
Livingston County
Overall score 75.3
Economy 77.1 / Affordability 59.4
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Michigan
Compare counties in Michigan by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 83 Michigan counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Michigan
Put Michigan counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Michigan rankings
Open the full Michigan ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Michigan county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Livingston County
Family score 80.8
Schools 92.1 / Safety 95.1
Best value
Montcalm County
Value score 67.9
Affordability 68 / Taxes 59
Most affordable
Luce County
Affordability 82
Typical home $129,755
Best schools
Ottawa County
Schools 93.8
Safety 73.2 / Economy 72.1
Safest
Otsego County
Safety 100
Schools 72.1 / Peace 83.7
Low taxes
Leelanau County
Taxes 71.6
Affordability 13.1 / Typical home $622,874
Peace & quiet
Dickinson County
Peace & Quiet 91.9
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Michigan
View full- 1Livingston County
Typical home $394,423
75.3
Overall
- 2Clinton County
Typical home $307,952
70.8
Overall
- 3Midland County
Typical home $240,607
70.8
Overall
- 4Ottawa County
Typical home $389,373
68.7
Overall
- 5Otsego County
Typical home $250,615
67.1
Overall
Best counties for families in Michigan
View full- 1Livingston County
Typical home $394,423
80.8
Family
- 2Midland County
Typical home $240,607
80.1
Family
- 3Houghton County
Typical home $182,733
78.5
Family
- 4Clinton County
Typical home $307,952
76.3
Family
- 5Otsego County
Typical home $250,615
76.2
Family
Best value counties in Michigan
View full- 1Montcalm County
Typical home $231,036
67.9
Value
- 2Otsego County
Typical home $250,615
67.8
Value
- 3Clinton County
Typical home $307,952
67.5
Value
- 4Branch County
Typical home $201,004
67.2
Value
- 5Menominee County
Typical home $177,338
66.8
Value
Most affordable counties in Michigan
View full- 1Luce County
Typical home $129,755
82
Afford.
- 2Dickinson County
Typical home $174,150
80.9
Afford.
- 3Gogebic County
Typical home $124,498
80.4
Afford.
- 4Ontonagon County
Typical home $129,978
79.3
Afford.
- 5Tuscola County
Typical home $182,326
78.4
Afford.
Best school counties in Michigan
View full- 1Ottawa County
Typical home $389,373
93.8
Schools
- 2Washtenaw County
Typical home $413,406
92.6
Schools
- 3Livingston County
Typical home $394,423
92.1
Schools
- 4Leelanau County
Typical home $622,874
88.1
Schools
- 5Oakland County
Typical home $365,349
86.7
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Michigan
View full- 1Leelanau County
Typical home $622,874
71.6
Taxes
- 2Benzie County
Typical home $398,792
69.2
Taxes
- 3Presque Isle County
Typical home $216,761
68.3
Taxes
- 4Antrim County
Typical home $344,946
66.7
Taxes
- 5Emmet County
Typical home $442,793
65.8
Taxes
Quietest counties in Michigan
View full- 1Dickinson County
Typical home $174,150
91.9
Quiet
- 2Marquette County
Typical home $243,685
90.3
Quiet
- 3Alpena County
Typical home $189,253
89.2
Quiet
- 4Delta County
Typical home $197,757
88.9
Quiet
- 5Houghton County
Typical home $182,733
88.3
Quiet
Safest counties in Michigan
View full- 1Otsego County
Typical home $250,615
100
Safety
- 2Iosco County
Typical home $164,597
99.2
Safety
- 3Schoolcraft County
Typical home $188,564
98.6
Safety
- 4Delta County
Typical home $197,757
98.5
Safety
- 5Houghton County
Typical home $182,733
98.1
Safety
Popular Michigan county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Michigan
The best county in Michigan depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Michigan
For best overall counties in Michigan, Livingston County, Clinton County, and Midland County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Michigan
For families, Livingston County, Midland County, and Houghton County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Michigan
For affordability-focused movers, Luce County, Dickinson County, and Gogebic County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Michigan
For school-first households, Ottawa County, Washtenaw County, and Livingston County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Michigan
For lower tax-pressure searches, Leelanau County, Benzie County, and Presque Isle County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Michigan
For quieter-living searches, Dickinson County, Marquette County, and Alpena County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Michigan
Compare county scale carefully in Michigan; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Michigan
What is the best county to live in Michigan?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Livingston County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Michigan for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Livingston County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Michigan?
Luce County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Michigan counties score well for schools or taxes?
Ottawa County currently leads the school-score view, while Leelanau County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Michigan counties
Showing all 83 Michigan counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston County FIPS 26093 | 75.3 | 77.1 | 59.4 | 92.1 | 95.1 | 52.8 | 63.9 | $394,423 | $103,039 |
| 2 | Clinton County FIPS 26037 | 70.8 | 66.9 | 67.5 | 70.5 | 97.1 | 43.8 | 83.6 | $307,952 | $88,210 |
| 3 | Midland County FIPS 26111 | 70.8 | 56.8 | 72.5 | 85.4 | 91.6 | 35.7 | 81.8 | $240,607 | $77,705 |
| 4 | Ottawa County FIPS 26139 | 68.7 | 72.1 | 51.2 | 93.8 | 73.2 | 52.1 | 57.8 | $389,373 | $90,502 |
| 5 | Otsego County FIPS 26137 | 67.1 | 48.3 | 59.5 | 72.1 | 100 | 65.5 | 83.7 | $250,615 | $68,183 |
| 6 | Houghton County FIPS 26061 | 66.5 | 41.1 | 67.3 | 77.9 | 98.1 | 47.3 | 88.3 | $182,733 | $58,899 |
| 7 | Allegan County FIPS 26005 | 65 | 64.7 | 54.6 | 62.6 | 88.6 | 53.8 | 78.9 | $342,789 | $83,283 |
| 8 | Lapeer County FIPS 26087 | 64 | 54.1 | 64.3 | 56.1 | 88.8 | 61.2 | 75.5 | $290,142 | $77,306 |
| 9 | Leelanau County FIPS 26089 | 63.8 | 70.5 | 13.1 | 88.1 | 96 | 71.6 | 74.9 | $622,874 | $99,422 |
| 10 | Barry County FIPS 26015 | 63.6 | 62.2 | 62.7 | 60.8 | 76.3 | 48.1 | 79.3 | $292,490 | $77,500 |
| 11 | Ionia County FIPS 26067 | 62.9 | 56.3 | 67.6 | 48.6 | 83.9 | 55.2 | 82.4 | $256,599 | $75,611 |
| 12 | Oakland County FIPS 26125 | 62.7 | 72.6 | 57.8 | 86.7 | 57.2 | 31.3 | 20.3 | $365,349 | $97,760 |
| 13 | Kent County FIPS 26081 | 62.2 | 65.7 | 51 | 63.9 | 89.9 | 47.7 | 39.7 | $350,515 | $82,631 |
| 14 | Crawford County FIPS 26039 | 61.6 | 28.1 | 70.2 | 82.4 | 78.2 | 49.5 | 76.3 | $172,955 | $60,392 |
| 15 | Dickinson County FIPS 26043 | 61.3 | 43.9 | 80.9 | 55.7 | 66.8 | 43.7 | 91.9 | $174,150 | $65,156 |
| 16 | St. Clair County FIPS 26147 | 61 | 52.8 | 67.3 | 49.3 | 86.3 | 45 | 73.5 | $253,394 | $71,270 |
| 17 | Washtenaw County FIPS 26161 | 61 | 64.1 | 40.2 | 92.6 | 79 | 17.5 | 56 | $413,406 | $89,180 |
| 18 | Grand Traverse County FIPS 26055 | 60.9 | 67.5 | 38.3 | 66.5 | 76.8 | 57.5 | 77 | $410,918 | $81,647 |
| 19 | Huron County FIPS 26063 | 60.8 | 44.9 | 67.2 | 49.6 | 91.2 | 50.7 | 81.4 | $192,819 | $58,870 |
| 20 | Lenawee County FIPS 26091 | 60.4 | 51.7 | 68.6 | 43 | 89.5 | 43.3 | 78.7 | $236,512 | $70,518 |
| 21 | Sanilac County FIPS 26151 | 60.3 | 34.4 | 68.8 | 53.8 | 89.5 | 63.1 | 80.3 | $202,763 | $58,863 |
| 22 | Marquette County FIPS 26103 | 59.9 | 42.6 | 57.6 | 52.3 | 96.7 | 54 | 90.3 | $243,685 | $65,429 |
| 23 | Shiawassee County FIPS 26155 | 59.1 | 46 | 74.9 | 30.6 | 95.9 | 43.2 | 80.4 | $208,279 | $67,404 |
| 24 | Benzie County FIPS 26019 | 59 | 52.8 | 30.6 | 70.5 | 89.2 | 69.2 | 74.7 | $398,792 | $74,834 |
| 25 | Branch County FIPS 26023 | 58.8 | 51.5 | 68.8 | 26.2 | 94.6 | 52.3 | 81.3 | $201,004 | $63,724 |
| 26 | Eaton County FIPS 26045 | 58.7 | 61 | 70.1 | 37.2 | 73 | 34.7 | 81 | $256,124 | $79,597 |
| 27 | Missaukee County FIPS 26113 | 58.7 | 48.4 | 62.4 | 41.5 | 82.8 | 63.9 | 78.6 | $226,792 | $66,194 |
| 28 | Chippewa County FIPS 26033 | 58.6 | 34.5 | 66.4 | 50 | 98.1 | 44.6 | 84.8 | $192,557 | $62,217 |
| 29 | Gratiot County FIPS 26057 | 58.6 | 40.3 | 77.5 | 36.9 | 83.2 | 49 | 87 | $179,894 | $63,556 |
| 30 | Menominee County FIPS 26109 | 58.6 | 45.5 | 71.6 | 35.8 | 81.6 | 56.8 | 85 | $177,338 | $56,435 |
| 31 | Monroe County FIPS 26115 | 58.1 | 49.3 | 69.2 | 44 | 76.4 | 46 | 71.5 | $262,020 | $77,335 |
| 32 | Emmet County FIPS 26047 | 57.8 | 51.2 | 21.2 | 81.1 | 86 | 65.8 | 79.4 | $442,793 | $78,112 |
| 33 | Charlevoix County FIPS 26029 | 57.5 | 58.2 | 33 | 57.6 | 84.2 | 65.2 | 80.3 | $400,415 | $76,531 |
| 34 | Macomb County FIPS 26099 | 57.5 | 56.4 | 67.2 | 42.4 | 95.5 | 28 | 20.2 | $266,672 | $77,837 |
| 35 | Wexford County FIPS 26165 | 57 | 38.2 | 63.6 | 46.6 | 83.4 | 55.3 | 83.7 | $228,172 | $61,085 |
| 36 | Gogebic County FIPS 26053 | 56.8 | 31.8 | 80.4 | 31.3 | 96.2 | 38.5 | 83.3 | $124,498 | $52,732 |
| 37 | Bay County FIPS 26017 | 56.5 | 38.3 | 76.6 | 37.2 | 88.1 | 32.5 | 76.7 | $179,475 | $61,763 |
| 38 | Montcalm County FIPS 26117 | 56.5 | 47.7 | 68 | 16.9 | 96.3 | 59 | 77.8 | $231,036 | $67,344 |
| 39 | St. Joseph County FIPS 26149 | 56.5 | 47.8 | 69.5 | 27 | 81.8 | 53.2 | 83.2 | $214,187 | $66,425 |
| 40 | Tuscola County FIPS 26157 | 56.5 | 39.5 | 78.4 | 28.2 | 81.9 | 50.1 | 82 | $182,326 | $63,811 |
| 41 | Mackinac County FIPS 26097 | 55.5 | 36.2 | 58.2 | 45.4 | 88.1 | 56.8 | 78.5 | $221,217 | $63,909 |
| 42 | Jackson County FIPS 26075 | 55.4 | 49.2 | 68.8 | 26.3 | 85 | 40.3 | 76.3 | $221,075 | $66,073 |
| 43 | Van Buren County FIPS 26159 | 55.3 | 40.6 | 59.1 | 48.8 | 79.7 | 47.3 | 78.1 | $268,116 | $68,114 |
| 44 | Newaygo County FIPS 26123 | 55.2 | 46.8 | 59 | 30.1 | 89 | 55.5 | 76.6 | $247,159 | $63,304 |
| 45 | Hillsdale County FIPS 26059 | 55.1 | 47.8 | 70 | 17.1 | 81.8 | 58.1 | 82.5 | $206,560 | $64,242 |
| 46 | Schoolcraft County FIPS 26153 | 55 | 30.6 | 64.1 | 29.7 | 98.6 | 63.9 | 83.6 | $188,564 | $56,782 |
| 47 | Alger County FIPS 26003 | 54.8 | 33.3 | 62.2 | 31.3 | 97.6 | 60.2 | 79.4 | $207,844 | $61,286 |
| 48 | Presque Isle County FIPS 26141 | 54.8 | 29.1 | 59.5 | 41.7 | 91 | 68.3 | 77.4 | $216,761 | $59,321 |
| 49 | Delta County FIPS 26041 | 54.7 | 33.5 | 66.6 | 25.5 | 98.5 | 53.5 | 88.9 | $197,757 | $57,809 |
| 50 | Ontonagon County FIPS 26131 | 54.7 | 26.9 | 79.3 | 29.3 | 87.1 | 52.7 | 78.2 | $129,978 | $54,398 |
| 51 | Alpena County FIPS 26007 | 54.6 | 37.5 | 66.8 | 24.7 | 90.8 | 55.1 | 89.2 | $189,253 | $53,950 |
| 52 | Keweenaw County FIPS 26083 | 54.5 | 28 | 55.3 | - | 87.7 | 56.3 | 80.8 | $206,638 | $52,583 |
| 53 | Antrim County FIPS 26009 | 54.4 | 46.6 | 40.2 | 56.1 | 74.1 | 66.7 | 74.7 | $344,946 | $72,054 |
| 54 | Arenac County FIPS 26011 | 54.4 | 32.1 | 75.6 | 36.9 | 77.3 | 46.4 | 76.3 | $160,118 | $58,811 |
| 55 | Kalamazoo County FIPS 26077 | 54.2 | 57.1 | 58.5 | 40.3 | 77.7 | 24.6 | 61.8 | $270,403 | $72,532 |
| 56 | Ogemaw County FIPS 26129 | 53.8 | 28.7 | 65.7 | 36 | 89.3 | 59 | 74.4 | $177,332 | $54,666 |
| 57 | Iosco County FIPS 26069 | 53.7 | 27.4 | 67.2 | 27.1 | 99.2 | 58.8 | 78.3 | $164,597 | $50,066 |
| 58 | Berrien County FIPS 26021 | 53.6 | 42.5 | 52.7 | 40.3 | 88.1 | 49.7 | 70.9 | $271,062 | $65,425 |
| 59 | Ingham County FIPS 26065 | 53.6 | 48.2 | 63.2 | 42.3 | 90.7 | 8 | 58.1 | $221,626 | $65,526 |
| 60 | Cheboygan County FIPS 26031 | 53.1 | 35.3 | 56.5 | 31.2 | 90.3 | 65.1 | 76.1 | $245,408 | $62,875 |
| 61 | Roscommon County FIPS 26143 | 53.1 | 30.2 | 65 | 32.2 | 89.7 | 56.1 | 75.7 | $186,502 | $55,246 |
| 62 | Calhoun County FIPS 26025 | 52.7 | 44 | 74.8 | 14.3 | 87 | 31 | 80.1 | $183,796 | $63,177 |
| 63 | Kalkaska County FIPS 26079 | 52.6 | 46.8 | 67.5 | 11.5 | 77.1 | 64.9 | 73.6 | $223,569 | $68,578 |
| 64 | Muskegon County FIPS 26121 | 52.6 | 45.6 | 62.7 | 16.9 | 93.1 | 47.8 | 68.1 | $247,207 | $65,024 |
| 65 | Mason County FIPS 26105 | 51.9 | 36.8 | 52.3 | 46.4 | 74 | 50.9 | 82.4 | $264,155 | $64,748 |
| 66 | Baraga County FIPS 26013 | 51.6 | 27 | 68.5 | 21.6 | 95.5 | 48.3 | 84.5 | $165,995 | $55,327 |
| 67 | Luce County FIPS 26095 | 51.5 | 27.7 | 82 | 20.5 | 64.2 | 62 | 83.2 | $129,755 | $54,893 |
| 68 | Manistee County FIPS 26101 | 51.5 | 36.6 | 52.6 | 34.8 | 81 | 61.2 | 78.9 | $255,974 | $63,516 |
| 69 | Saginaw County FIPS 26145 | 51.4 | 30.6 | 77.2 | 20.4 | 92.4 | 27.5 | 76 | $167,796 | $60,622 |
| 70 | Alcona County FIPS 26001 | 51.2 | 27.1 | 64.6 | 22.9 | 89.5 | 65.6 | 75.1 | $187,439 | $54,993 |
| 71 | Gladwin County FIPS 26051 | 51.2 | 30.1 | 64.5 | 31.9 | 86.2 | 46.2 | 72 | $184,536 | $55,349 |
| 72 | Isabella County FIPS 26073 | 51.2 | 33.1 | 53.1 | 40 | 88 | 41.5 | 85 | $222,852 | $55,237 |
| 73 | Oscoda County FIPS 26135 | 50 | 24.6 | 72.8 | 25.8 | 71.4 | 61.1 | 74.3 | $144,122 | $49,515 |
| 74 | Montmorency County FIPS 26119 | 49.4 | 20.2 | 63.8 | 24.1 | 90.9 | 61.4 | 76.2 | $178,115 | $49,756 |
| 75 | Osceola County FIPS 26133 | 49 | 32.8 | 66.9 | 10.3 | 80.9 | 58.9 | 79.4 | $192,206 | $58,267 |
| 76 | Mecosta County FIPS 26107 | 47.3 | 26.9 | 61 | 26.2 | 67.8 | 59 | 80.9 | $223,013 | $60,951 |
| 77 | Cass County FIPS 26027 | 45.7 | 48.1 | 61 | 32.9 | 13.5 | 58.3 | 80 | $264,053 | $70,443 |
| 78 | Oceana County FIPS 26127 | 45.3 | 27.7 | 54.2 | 14.8 | 80.3 | 59.4 | 76.8 | $248,645 | $62,417 |
| 79 | Iron County FIPS 26071 | 45.1 | 24.2 | 77.1 | 27.9 | 35.4 | 48.1 | 81.6 | $137,827 | $55,940 |
| 80 | Clare County FIPS 26035 | 44.9 | 24.3 | 67.6 | 13.9 | 70 | 51.1 | 70.8 | $156,086 | $49,384 |
| 81 | Lake County FIPS 26085 | 39.4 | 19.4 | 66.3 | 3.5 | 55.5 | 54.3 | 70 | $160,999 | $50,805 |
| 82 | Genesee County FIPS 26049 | 36.7 | 32.9 | 71.6 | 27.4 | 0 | 28.6 | 44.7 | $189,845 | $62,281 |
| 83 | Wayne County FIPS 26163 | 30.6 | 34.5 | 72.7 | 8.3 | 0.4 | 11.5 | 17.9 | $174,830 | $60,539 |