Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Iowa instead of Michigan, you would:
Health
live 1.5 years longer
In Michigan, the average life expectancy is 76 years (76 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In Iowa, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
be 31.2% less likely to be unemployed
In Michigan, 4.8% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Iowa, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.
be 17.3% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Michigan, 12.7% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Iowa, however, that number is 10.5% as of 2023.
make 14.8% more money
Michigan has a GDP per capita of $55,508 as of 2024, while in Iowa, the GDP per capita is $63,747 as of 2024.
Safety
be 38.8% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Michigan has a violent crime rate of 453 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 277 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 12.5% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Michigan is $1,084 as of 2023, while in Iowa, it is $949 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 4.6 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Michigan takes 24.4 minutes as of 2023. In Iowa, it takes 19.8 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 67.6% less densely populated
Michigan has a population density of 68.5 people per sq km as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 22.2 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 36.2% less likely to be food insecure
In Michigan, 11.6% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In Iowa, that number is 7.4% as of 2021.
live among residents who are 1.5 years older on average
The median age in Michigan is 40.1 years as of 2023. In Iowa, the median age is 38.6 years as of 2023.
Sources: US Census Bureau (American Community Survey) (2023), OECD Regional Demography (2020–2023), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2023), Feeding America (2021). How we calculate this
