Lions #17 Pick Blake Miller 2026 NFL Rookie Real Estate & Residency Analysis

Blake Miller, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, enters the league with a ~$21.87 million rookie contract and a ~$12.4 million signing bonus.

Before the Clemson right tackle plays a single snap for the Detroit Lions, he’s already made a financially positive move compared to where he came from:

He’s leaving a 7.0% income tax state for a 4.25% income tax state.

It’s not the 0% paradise of Tennessee, Texas, or Florida, but it’s still a meaningful tax upgrade.

For a 22‑year‑old offensive tackle with long‑term second‑contract upside, that’s not just a win. That’s hundreds of thousands of dollars saved.

APSM breaks down Miller’s real estate and residency landscape across his new NFL financial landscape and suggests where he should establish his primary residence and maximize his net worth:

• His home state (Ohio)
• His college state (South Carolina)
• His drafted state (Michigan)

Does Blake Miller Own Any Property?

Miller was born and raised in Strongsville, Ohio, before becoming a multi‑year starter at Clemson.

There are no public records of Miller owning real estate in Ohio, South Carolina, or elsewhere.

Like most NIL‑era athletes, he likely:

• Rented during college
• Banked NIL money
• Waited until the draft to make his first major real estate move

Now, with a $12.4 million signing bonus on the way, Detroit gives him a clean, stable financial runway, if he plays it correctly.

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Market #1: Ohio (Home State)

• Median Home Price: ~$230,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~1.5%
• State Income Tax: ~3.75%
• Cost of Living: ~10% below U.S. average
• Market Trend: 3–5% annual appreciation

Pros

• Affordable housing
• Strong rental markets in Columbus/Cincinnati
• Familiar environment

Cons

• 3.75% income tax
• High property taxes
• Lower long‑term appreciation than Michigan’s growth pockets

APSM Take

Ohio is fine as a place to own property, but not ideal as Miller’s tax home when Michigan offers a lower rate than South Carolina.

Market #2: South Carolina (College State)

• Median Home Price: ~$290,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~0.5–0.6%
• State Income Tax: 7.0%
• Cost of Living: ~8-10% below U.S. average
• Market Trend: 4-6% annual appreciation

Pros

• Low property taxes
• Growing markets in Greenville and Charleston
• Familiar from his Clemson years

Cons

• 7% income tax
• Not a top‑tier appreciation state
• No reason to keep residency with Michigan on the table

APSM Take

South Carolina is absolutely not where Miller should claim residency.
On a ~$12.4M signing bonus, 7% is a direct hit.

Market #3: Michigan (Drafted State)

• Median Home Price: ~$260,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~1.4%
• State Income Tax: 4.25%
• Cost of Living: ~5–10% below U.S. average
• Market Trend: 4–6% annual appreciation (Detroit suburbs, Grand Rapids)

Pros

• 4.25% income tax, significantly lower than South Carolina’s 7%
• Affordable housing
• Strong appreciation in Detroit suburbs (Novi, Troy, Royal Oak)
• Lower cost of living than most NFL markets

Cons

• Higher property taxes than Tennessee/Texas/Florida
• Detroit city property taxes are steep (avoid city limits)

APSM Take

Michigan is not tax‑free, but it’s still a meaningful upgrade from South Carolina. Miller could:

• Establish Michigan residency immediately
• Avoid Detroit city limits (choose suburbs)
• Anchor his real estate portfolio around Oakland County

This is a clean, financially stable setup.

Best Housing Markets, Rental Markets & Appreciation Rates

Ohio

• Best Housing Markets: Columbus (Dublin, New Albany), Cincinnati suburbs, Cleveland suburbs
• Best Rental Markets: Columbus, Cincinnati
• Appreciation: 3–5% annually

South Carolina

• Best Housing Markets: Greenville, Charleston, Fort Mill
• Best Rental Markets: Charleston, Greenville
• Appreciation: 4-6% annually

Michigan

• Best Housing Markets: Novi, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Ann Arbor
• Best Rental Markets: Detroit suburbs, Ann Arbor
• Appreciation: 4-6% annually

Michigan is the best long‑term investment market of the three.
Ohio is solid. South Carolina is fine.
Michigan is where Miller can build a real portfolio.

Property Tax & Capital Gains

Property Tax

• Ohio: ~1.5% (high)
• South Carolina: ~0.5–0.6% (low)
• Michigan: ~1.4% (moderate‑high)

Capital Gains (State Level)

• Ohio: ~3.75%
• South Carolina: 7%
• Michigan: 4.25%

APSM Take

Michigan is not perfect, but it’s far better than South Carolina,
and manageable with smart planning.

Residency Impact on Miller’s Signing Bonus

• Gross Signing Bonus: $12,400,000
• Federal Tax (37%): $7,812,000

Michigan saves Miller:

• ~$341K vs South Carolina
• Still slightly worse than Ohio, but Michigan is where he works

This is a clean, manageable residency scenario.

Investment Scenario:
Turning $7.87M Into Real Wealth

Using the Michigan residency scenario:

If Miller invests his entire net signing bonus and lives below his means,
he could turn ~$7.87M into $12-20+ million before touching a dollar.

That’s how you go from “rookie contract” to multi‑generational wealth,
even without a massive second deal.

Jock Tax Considerations

• He’ll still pay jock taxes in states he plays road games in (CA, NY, NJ, etc.).
• But his home base, where his signing bonus and investment income are taxed, matters far more.
• Michigan residency means:
  • 4.25% state tax
  • No city tax if he avoids Detroit proper
  • Lower tax burden than South Carolina

APSM Real Estate Verdict

Michigan should be his primary residence.
Ohio should be a secondary or rental market.
South Carolina should be a nostalgia stop, not a tax home.

If Blake Miller wants to maximize his rookie earnings, protect his signing bonus, and build long‑term wealth, the move is simple:

• Establish Michigan residency immediately.
• Buy smart in the Detroit suburbs (Novi, Troy, Royal Oak).
• Invest the majority of his signing bonus into index funds and Michigan real estate.
• Avoid ever tying his tax home back to South Carolina.

He quietly has one of the cleanest financial setups
of any lineman in this class.

Suggested Real Estate Strategy for Blake Miller

• Primary residence: Michigan (Novi, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham)
• Secondary: Ohio rental or family property near Cleveland/Columbus
• Work base: Detroit suburbs, close to Lions facilities
• Invest: Majority of signing bonus into index funds + Michigan real estate

Next Reads

• 2026 NFL Draft: Every 1st Round Contract Details, Net Income & Residency Analysis
• Jayden Daniels Is Breaking Records and the Lions are Paying for it
• Miami is a Financial Gold Mine for Dolphins #12 Pick Kadyn Proctor: 2026 NFL Draft Rookie Real Estate & Residency Analysis
• How the Detroit Tigers Rebuilt their Franchise
• Michigan State Athlete Taxes

Credits

• Written By: Aidan Anderson
• Research & Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
• Sources: NFL Draft Data, Sportico, Spotrac, Zillow / Redfin Market Research, ESPN, WSJ, APSM Proprietary Analysis
• Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram / Wiki Commons
• Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.