The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Michigan

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 541 towns of 500–10,000 people in Michigan. #1 is Peninsula, MI.

1. 25Baraga, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

   Baraga is a township of 3,478 people in Baraga County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 83% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 82% of Michigan towns.

   3,478 people · Baraga County · median home $133,300 · income $52,254 · Jan low 6°F · 178 in snow

   Full Baraga, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Manchester, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

   Manchester is a township of 4,626 people in Washtenaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better transit than 97% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 90% of Michigan towns.

   4,626 people · Washtenaw County · median home $273,600 · income $84,732 · Jan low 15°F · 35 in snow

   Full Manchester, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Larkin, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

   Larkin is a charter township of 5,331 people in Midland County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Michigan towns and better for families than 92% of Michigan towns.

   5,331 people · Midland County · median home $382,500 · income $143,427 · Jan low 17°F · 47 in snow

   Full Larkin, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Lake Orion, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

   Lake Orion is a village of 2,876 people in Oakland County, Michigan. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Michigan towns and more walkable than 99% of Michigan towns.

   2,876 people · Oakland County · median home $376,600 · income $101,318 · Jan low 17°F · 43 in snow

   Full Lake Orion, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Franklin, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

   Franklin is a village of 3,139 people in Oakland County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Michigan towns and better for families than 93% of Michigan towns.

   3,139 people · Oakland County · median home $774,900 · income $194,079 · Jan low 16°F · 36 in snow

   Full Franklin, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Sylvan, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

   Sylvan is a township of 3,311 people in Washtenaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 98% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 96% of Michigan towns.

   3,311 people · Washtenaw County · median home $396,200 · income $102,656 · Jan low 16°F · 33 in snow

   Full Sylvan, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Acme, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

   Acme is a township of 4,456 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 95% of Michigan towns and better for families than 88% of Michigan towns.

   4,456 people · Grand Traverse County · median home $338,300 · income $110,281 · Jan low 17°F · 101 in snow

   Full Acme, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Rogers City, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

   Rogers City is a city of 2,850 people in Presque Isle County, Michigan. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 99% of Michigan towns and hipper than 90% of Michigan towns.

   2,850 people · Presque Isle County · median home $110,200 · income $49,266 · Jan low 14°F · 85 in snow

   Full Rogers City, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Canadian Lakes, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

   Canadian Lakes is a community of 3,202 people in Mecosta County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 92% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 90% of Michigan towns.

   3,202 people · Mecosta County · median home $270,000 · income $78,833 · Jan low 13°F · 62 in snow

   Full Canadian Lakes, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Prairieville, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

    Prairieville is a township of 3,334 people in Barry County, Michigan. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 95% of Michigan towns.

    3,334 people · Barry County · median home $406,900 · income $67,332 · Jan low 19°F · 66 in snow

    Full Prairieville, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Saugatuck, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

    Saugatuck is a township of 3,443 people in Allegan County, Michigan. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 93% of Michigan towns.

    3,443 people · Allegan County · median home $422,600 · income $93,618 · Jan low 20°F · 109 in snow

    Full Saugatuck, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Morton, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

    Morton is a township of 4,426 people in Mecosta County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 92% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 88% of Michigan towns.

    4,426 people · Mecosta County · median home $252,300 · income $72,877 · Jan low 13°F · 62 in snow

    Full Morton, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Whitewater, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

    Whitewater is a township of 2,688 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 91% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 91% of Michigan towns.

    2,688 people · Grand Traverse County · median home $373,000 · income $93,958 · Jan low 17°F · 119 in snow

    Full Whitewater, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12L'Anse, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

    L'Anse is a township of 3,551 people in Baraga County, Michigan. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 86% of Michigan towns and hipper than 85% of Michigan towns.

    3,551 people · Baraga County · median home $122,700 · income $54,898 · Jan low 7°F · 208 in snow

    Full L'Anse, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Romeo, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

    Romeo is a village of 3,767 people in Macomb County, Michigan. It also ranks hipper than 99% of Michigan towns and more walkable than 95% of Michigan towns.

    3,767 people · Macomb County · median home $266,200 · income $74,323 · Jan low 16°F · 40 in snow

    Full Romeo, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Chelsea, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

    Chelsea is a city of 5,467 people in Washtenaw County, Michigan. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Michigan towns and more walkable than 94% of Michigan towns.

    5,467 people · Washtenaw County · median home $312,700 · income $72,098 · Jan low 16°F · 33 in snow

    Full Chelsea, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Frankenlust, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

    Frankenlust is a township of 3,672 people in Bay County, Michigan. It also ranks more of a college town than 87% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 82% of Michigan towns.

    3,672 people · Bay County · median home $240,700 · income $92,685 · Jan low 16°F · 49 in snow

    Full Frankenlust, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

    Ann Arbor is a charter township of 4,673 people in Washtenaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better transit than 100% of Michigan towns and better for young professionals than 99% of Michigan towns.

    4,673 people · Washtenaw County · median home $659,400 · income $164,875 · Jan low 16°F · 61 in snow

    Full Ann Arbor, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Elmwood, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

    Elmwood is a charter township of 4,892 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of Michigan towns and better for families than 83% of Michigan towns.

    4,892 people · Leelanau County · median home $436,400 · income $94,417 · Jan low 19°F · 115 in snow

    Full Elmwood, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Frankenmuth, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

    Frankenmuth is a city of 4,987 people in Saginaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better for young professionals than 94% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 92% of Michigan towns.

    4,987 people · Saginaw County · median home $300,500 · income $85,433 · Jan low 12°F · 43 in snow

    Full Frankenmuth, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Bingham, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

    Bingham is a township of 2,577 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 93% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 93% of Michigan towns.

    2,577 people · Leelanau County · median home $373,200 · income $93,594 · Jan low 19°F · 115 in snow

    Full Bingham, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Suttons Bay, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

    Suttons Bay is a township of 2,883 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 97% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 89% of Michigan towns.

    2,883 people · Leelanau County · median home $440,500 · income $115,769 · Jan low 17°F · 115 in snow

    Full Suttons Bay, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Petoskey, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

    Petoskey is a city of 5,877 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for young professionals than 99% of Michigan towns and better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns.

    5,877 people · Emmet County · median home $364,100 · income $74,196 · Jan low 15°F · 124 in snow

    Full Petoskey, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Elk Rapids, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 100% of Michigan towns

    Elk Rapids is a township of 2,521 people in Antrim County, Michigan. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 100% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 94% of Michigan towns.

    2,521 people · Antrim County · median home $401,100 · income $82,933 · Jan low 17°F · 112 in snow

    Full Elk Rapids, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Peninsula, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 100% of Michigan towns

    Peninsula is a township of 6,068 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Michigan towns and better for young professionals than 95% of Michigan towns.

    6,068 people · Grand Traverse County · median home $706,900 · income $137,787 · Jan low 17°F · 115 in snow

    Full Peninsula, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Michigan rankings

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• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan With Mild Winters

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