California vs Michigan
California comes out ahead of Michigan on 456 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 337 with 13 ties. California leads on Health, Culture and Education and 7 more categories. Michigan leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Sports and Environment and 3 more categories.
806 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 13 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 456
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 10
- Wins
- 337
- Avg. percentile
- 46
- Categories led
- 6
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | California | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,345,844 1st of 51 | 10,155,806 10th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $99,122 6th of 51 | $72,875 36th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 5.5% 50th of 51 | 5.2% tied 46th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.0% 29th of 51 | 13.2% 36th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 110.7 51st of 51 | 96.2 24th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $63,028 13th of 51 | $53,569 41st of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $80,690 5th of 51 | $64,920 26th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $2,036 51st of 51 | $1,129 20th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 432.7 44th of 51 | 416.2 40th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,814 9th of 48 | 6,745 35th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthCalifornia · 189 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 78 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 51 statistics
- AgricultureCalifornia · 17 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyMichigan · 36 statistics
- SportsMichigan · 16 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 76 statistics
- GeographyCalifornia · 25 statistics
- EnvironmentMichigan · 38 statistics
- PopulationCalifornia · 124 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 294 statistics
- TravelMichigan · 29 statistics
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 48 statistics
- Facts & TriviaMichigan · 18 statistics
- LawMichigan · 70 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 125 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | California | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Homeless Youth Support RankBest States to Be Homeless | 1st 1st of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Avg. Cost of Car Repair LaborAuto Repair Rates by State | $271 50th of 51 | $211 1st of 51 |
| SSI Pension Fund Management ScoreMost Corrupt States | 93.8 2nd of 50 | 30.4 50th of 50 |
| State Integrity Investigation (SII) Total ScoreMost Corrupt States | 73 2nd of 50 | 51 tied last of 50 |
| Accident RateWorst Drivers by State | 28.1 per 1k drivers 49th of 51 | 10.0 per 1k drivers 1st of 51 |
| Required License FeeLCSW Requirements by State | $450 49th of 51 | $42.40 1st of 51 |
| Avg. Cost of Car Repair PartsAuto Repair Rates by State | $416 49th of 51 | $356 3rd of 51 |
| SSI Executive Accountability ScoreMost Corrupt States | 73 5th of 50 | 26.8 50th of 50 |
| Overall ScoreBest States to Retire | 21.61 48th of 50 | 30.19 3rd of 50 |
| Weekly Grocery CostGrocery Prices by State | $297.72 49th of 51 | $236.38 4th of 51 |
| % of Mammal Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 16.4% 48th of 50 | 1.5% tied 3rd of 50 |
| MidwifeNursing Pay by State | $154,500 1st of 37 | $92,790 33rd of 37 |
| % of Bird Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 4.8% 49th of 51 | 1% 5th of 51 |
| Avg Annual SalaryDental Hygienists Salary by State | $108,200 2nd of 51 | $66,720 46th of 51 |
| Avg Hourly WageDental Hygienists Salary by State | $52.02 2nd of 51 | $32.08 46th of 51 |
| Housing Costs IndexCost of Living Index by State | 200.1 49th of 51 | 74.0 5th of 51 |
| Median Price: All Home TypesMedian Home Price by State | $854,000 51st of 51 | $269,700 7th of 51 |
| SWAMP Index ScoreMost Corrupt States | 75.24 4th of 51 | 29.18 48th of 51 |
| Infant Mortality RateInfant Mortality Rate by State | 3.9 1st of 49 | 6.8 43rd of 49 |
| Capital Gains RateCapital Gains Tax by State | 13.3% 43rd of 43 | 4.25% tied 6th of 43 |
| Income Tax Maximum RateTaxes by State | 12.3% 43rd of 43 | 4.25% tied 6th of 43 |
| Depression RatesHealthiest States | 17.8 4th of 50 | 26.7 tied 46th of 50 |
| SSI Ethics Enforcement Agencies ScoreMost Corrupt States | 73 tied 4th of 50 | 38.9 47th of 50 |
| Annual Mean WageSonographer Salary by State | $114,480 1st of 51 | $70,560 44th of 51 |
| Annual Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $107,270 2nd of 51 | $67,900 45th of 51 |
| COLI Housing Costs IndexLeast Expensive States | 208.7 48th of 51 | 73.7 5th of 51 |
| Cost of Living Index (Housing)Average Rent by State | 208.7 48th of 51 | 73.7 5th of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WageSonographer Salary by State | $55.04 1st of 51 | $33.92 44th of 51 |
| Hourly Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $51.57 2nd of 51 | $32.64 45th of 51 |
| Deaths in 1918Spanish Flu Deaths by State | 16,773 45th of 49 | 1,688 4th of 49 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, California or Michigan?
- California comes out ahead of Michigan on 456 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 337 with 13 ties. California leads on Health, Culture and Education and 7 more categories. Michigan leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Sports and Environment and 3 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, California or Michigan?
- California has a population of 39,345,844 (1st of 51 US states) and Michigan has 10,155,806 (10th of 51).
- How do California and Michigan compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: California $99,122 (6th of 51), Michigan $72,875 (36th of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do California and Michigan compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): California 5.5% (50th of 51), Michigan 5.2% (tied 46th of 51) among US states. Michigan ranks better.
- Where does California beat Michigan most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on Homeless Youth Support Rank (Best States to Be Homeless): 1st vs 50th; SSI Pension Fund Management Score (Most Corrupt States): 93.8 vs 30.4; State Integrity Investigation (SII) Total Score (Most Corrupt States): 73 vs 51.
- Where does Michigan beat California most clearly?
- Michigan ranks far ahead on Avg. Cost of Car Repair Labor (Auto Repair Rates by State): $211 vs $271; Accident Rate (Worst Drivers by State): 10.0 per 1k drivers vs 28.1 per 1k drivers; Required License Fee (LCSW Requirements by State): $42.40 vs $450.
More matchups
Other comparisons with California or Michigan.
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs Michigan
- Alaska vs Michigan
- Arizona vs Michigan
- Arkansas vs Michigan
- Colorado vs Michigan
- Connecticut vs Michigan
- Delaware vs Michigan
- District of Columbia vs Michigan