Compare states / Michigan
MI
Compare Michigan with other states
Michigan is the 10th-most populous state, with about 10.2 million residents and 180 people per square mile. It taxes wages, but its top rate of 4.25% is the 12th-lowest among the 41 states that do; its average combined sales tax of 6.00% is tied for the 11th-lowest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $266,122 (the 12th-lowest nationally). It is one of 9 states outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses moving in need a Michigan license.
Data: Michigan (michigan.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 4.25% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.19% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Value-based registration tax, about 0.61% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $13.73. |
| Median home value | $266,122 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (base) | $120.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually need a new state license |
Parks and people
| State parks | 73 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 10,155,806 |
| Population density | 180.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 73.7% White (non-Hispanic) 5.6% Hispanic 15.3% Black 3.4% Asian |
| Violent crime | 434.3 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Michigan
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 4.25%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Michigan
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Michigan
- Get an MI driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Michigan.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Michigan elections site.
- Nurse license: Michigan is not in the nurse compact. Plan on a new MI RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Michigan: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Michigan compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 4.25% in Michigan vs 13.3% in California (lower in Michigan).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Michigan are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Michigan does not tax Social Security benefits (MI tax agency).
- Estate tax. Michigan has no state estate tax (MI tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Michigan has no state inheritance tax (MI tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Michigan $13.73.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Michigan 6.00%.
- State parks. Michigan 73. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; MI 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (MI).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Michigan 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Michigan 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled