The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan

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

1. 25Bainbridge, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Michigan towns

   Bainbridge is a township of 2,682 people in Berrien County, Michigan. It also ranks easier by car than 94% of Michigan towns.

   2,682 people · Berrien County · median home $220,600 · income $74,574 · Jan low 20°F · 87 in snow

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

2. 24Portland, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Michigan towns

   Portland is a city of 3,796 people in Ionia County, Michigan. It also ranks better for young professionals than 86% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 80% of Michigan towns.

   3,796 people · Ionia County · median home $166,200 · income $65,845 · Jan low 16°F · 45 in snow

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

3. 23East Tawas, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Michigan towns

   East Tawas is a city of 2,663 people in Iosco County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 93% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 93% of Michigan towns.

   2,663 people · Iosco County · median home $130,200 · income $42,450 · Jan low 13°F · 49 in snow

   Full East Tawas, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Tyrone, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Michigan towns

   Tyrone is a township of 5,021 people in Kent County, Michigan. It also ranks easier by car than 79% of Michigan towns and better transit than 75% of Michigan towns.

   5,021 people · Kent County · median home $238,400 · income $69,773 · Jan low 14°F · 48 in snow

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

5. 21Holton, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Michigan towns

   Holton is a township of 2,586 people in Muskegon County, Michigan. It also ranks better for cycling than 82% of Michigan towns.

   2,586 people · Muskegon County · median home $186,300 · income $72,910 · Jan low 16°F · 72 in snow

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

6. 20Gaylord, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Michigan towns

   Gaylord is a city of 4,286 people in Otsego County, Michigan. It also ranks more vibrant than 94% of Michigan towns and better transit than 93% of Michigan towns.

   4,286 people · Otsego County · median home $192,800 · income $44,701 · Jan low 11°F · 140 in snow

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

7. 19Hancock, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Michigan towns

   Hancock is a city of 4,501 people in Houghton County, Michigan. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Michigan towns and more of a college town than 100% of Michigan towns.

   4,501 people · Houghton County · median home $165,600 · income $59,519 · Jan low 9°F

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

8. 18Sheridan, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Michigan towns

   Sheridan is a charter township of 2,518 people in Newaygo County, Michigan. It also ranks better for cycling than 89% of Michigan towns and better for families than 81% of Michigan towns.

   2,518 people · Newaygo County · median home $183,300 · income $76,042 · Jan low 16°F · 70 in snow

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

9. 17West Branch, Michigan

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Michigan towns

   West Branch is a township of 2,567 people in Ogemaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 85% of Michigan towns and better transit than 84% of Michigan towns.

   2,567 people · Ogemaw County · median home $171,600 · income $62,955 · Jan low 10°F · 53 in snow

   Full West Branch, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Green, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Michigan towns

    Green is a charter township of 3,219 people in Mecosta County, Michigan. It also ranks better for young professionals than 78% of Michigan towns and better for retirees than 74% of Michigan towns.

    3,219 people · Mecosta County · median home $156,200 · income $82,955 · Jan low 13°F · 61 in snow

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

11. 15Alma, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Michigan towns

    Alma is a city of 9,488 people in Gratiot County, Michigan. It also ranks better transit than 97% of Michigan towns and more of a college town than 96% of Michigan towns.

    9,488 people · Gratiot County · median home $115,900 · income $53,307 · Jan low 15°F · 39 in snow

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

12. 14Buchanan, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Michigan towns

    Buchanan is a township of 3,436 people in Berrien County, Michigan. It also ranks better transit than 92% of Michigan towns and hipper than 72% of Michigan towns.

    3,436 people · Berrien County · median home $194,000 · income $66,783 · Jan low 19°F · 63 in snow

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

13. 13Mancelona, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Michigan towns

    Mancelona is a township of 4,311 people in Antrim County, Michigan. The median home is worth $159,900 (typical Michigan town: $193,900).

    4,311 people · Antrim County · median home $159,900 · income $65,412 · Jan low 12°F · 137 in snow

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

14. 12Crystal, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Michigan towns

    Crystal is a township of 2,619 people in Montcalm County, Michigan. It also ranks better for cycling than 87% of Michigan towns and quieter than 76% of Michigan towns.

    2,619 people · Montcalm County · median home $194,000 · income $56,087 · Jan low 15°F · 54 in snow

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

15. 11Richland, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Michigan towns

    Richland is a township of 2,646 people in Montcalm County, Michigan. It also ranks easier by car than 79% of Michigan towns and quieter than 74% of Michigan towns.

    2,646 people · Montcalm County · median home $142,100 · income $50,862 · Jan low 15°F · 47 in snow

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

16. 10Fremont, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Michigan towns

    Fremont is a township of 3,167 people in Tuscola County, Michigan. It also ranks easier by car than 86% of Michigan towns and quieter than 81% of Michigan towns.

    3,167 people · Tuscola County · median home $144,400 · income $63,155 · Jan low 15°F · 49 in snow

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

17. 9Center Line, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Michigan towns

    Center Line is a city of 8,552 people in Macomb County, Michigan. It also ranks more walkable than 99% of Michigan towns and more vibrant than 99% of Michigan towns.

    8,552 people · Macomb County · median home $156,600 · income $54,703 · Jan low 20°F · 28 in snow

    Full Center Line, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Portland, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Michigan towns

    Portland is a township of 3,881 people in Ionia County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 85% of Michigan towns and easier by car than 85% of Michigan towns.

    3,881 people · Ionia County · median home $258,400 · income $101,890 · Jan low 16°F · 50 in snow

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

19. 7Wolf Lake, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Michigan towns

    Wolf Lake is a community of 5,034 people in Muskegon County, Michigan. It also ranks more vibrant than 77% of Michigan towns and more walkable than 75% of Michigan towns.

    5,034 people · Muskegon County · median home $131,400 · income $51,637 · Jan low 21°F · 87 in snow

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

20. 6Wheeler, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Michigan towns

    Wheeler is a township of 2,612 people in Gratiot County, Michigan. It also ranks easier by car than 86% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 79% of Michigan towns.

    2,612 people · Gratiot County · median home $115,400 · income $61,149 · Jan low 15°F · 42 in snow

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

21. 5Solon, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Michigan towns

    Solon is a township of 6,496 people in Kent County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 83% of Michigan towns and easier by car than 83% of Michigan towns.

    6,496 people · Kent County · median home $256,900 · income $86,958 · Jan low 14°F · 48 in snow

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

22. 4Rogers City, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Michigan towns

    Rogers City is a city of 2,850 people in Presque Isle County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% 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 →

23. 3Ferrysburg, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Michigan towns

    Ferrysburg is a city of 2,952 people in Ottawa County, Michigan. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 98% of Michigan towns and better for families than 95% of Michigan towns.

    2,952 people · Ottawa County · median home $239,900 · income $70,400 · Jan low 19°F · 87 in snow

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

24. 2Roosevelt Park, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Michigan towns

    Roosevelt Park is a city of 4,172 people in Muskegon County, Michigan. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Michigan towns and more walkable than 97% of Michigan towns.

    4,172 people · Muskegon County · median home $193,300 · income $62,857 · Jan low 21°F · 87 in snow

    Full Roosevelt Park, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Westwood, Michigan

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Michigan towns

    Westwood is a community of 9,621 people in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Michigan towns and hipper than 100% of Michigan towns.

    9,621 people · Kalamazoo County · median home $193,400 · income $58,205 · Jan low 18°F · 88 in snow

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

Price vs ranking

More Michigan rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Michigan
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Michigan
• The 24 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
• 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Michigan
• 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan With Mild Winters

Same ranking, other places

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