Have you ever wondered which U.S. states resemble countries more closely than others? The Country – US State Comparisons are designed to quantify just that — measuring how similar each U.S. state is to different countries around the world relative to the United States. This index provides a data-driven way to make those comparisons. It equally weights five major factors: demographics, culture, politics, technology, and geography. Over 1,000 different data points are used to generate the results.
Top 10 Countries More Similar to Michigan than the US
The five countries that resemble Michigan much more than the United States overall are all located in Eastern Europe. Not only do these nations have a similar climate to Michigan, but but they also share many social, economic, and infrastructural traits.
- Latvia and Michigan share a similar climate, with four distinct seasons and significant snowfall. Politically, their governments are not especially conservative or liberal. Their people tend to excel in Olymplic sports as well. Furthermore, they each have a mix of Protestants and Catholics.
- Lithuania borders Latvia so it has a similar climate and terrain. Michigan and Lithuania have robust manufacturing sectors. Their residents have a similar average age of marriage. Both have a significant percentage of people with Polish ancestry as well. Their minimum wage is similar too.
- Moldova has a continental climate, similar to Michigan. In addition, a high percentage of the people in Moldova and Michigan work in industry. They both have experienced significant population decline in the recent years. Furthermore, marijuana is not criminalized in either place.
- Bosnia & Herzegovina has many similarities with Michigan as well. Both have high levels of gun ownership. Their laws also do not allow same sex marriage or marriage between cousins. They have about the same population density. Their farmlands are similar as well. Both grow a lot of corn. They also have iron mines.
- Estonia is yet another Baltic country on this list. It is small and aging, with limited immigration, similar to Michigan’s slow-growing population. It has a lot of coastline, flat terrain, and an abundance of freshwater lakes, like Michigan. Estonia is still transitioning from its industrial past, similar to to Michigan’s.
- Croatia, 7. Serbia, 8. Montenegro, 9. Finland 10. Sweden
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Michigan than the US
The top 5 countries with fewer traits in common with Michigan than the United States overall are spread across Latin America, East Asia, and the Middle East. These countries differ sharply from Michigan in climate, demographics, politics, and culture.
- China diverges significantly from Michigan via its vast landmass and megacities with high-speed rail—none of which parallel Michigan’s democratic institutions, diverse population, or midsize post-industrial cities.
- Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country. However Michigan’s Spanish-speaking population is much lower than the overall US population. They also share agricultural roots. Both have suffered through economic instability as well.
- United Arab Emirates is a desert monarchy with a predominantly Muslim culture and oil-driven wealth. It is far different from Michigan’s democratic governance, mixed economy, and temperate, Great Lakes environment.
- Taiwan differs sharply from Michigan in its subtropical island geography, Mandarin-speaking populace. While both do a lot of manufacturing, Taiwan’s high-tech industry is a lot more advanced.
- Chile is a Spanish-speaking country on this list. Chile’s economy leans more on mining and agriculture, and its infrastructure, though advanced for the region, trails behind Michigan’s industrial base.
- Myanmar, 7. Iran, 8. Syria, 9. Saudi Arabia, 10. Pakistan
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Michigan than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.