The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Michigan With the Fewest Tornadoes

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 541 towns of 500–10,000 people in Michigan, scoring every town on all of these at once. #1 is Baraga, MI.

1. 25Menominee, Michigan

   Retirement: 83rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 88th percentile

   Menominee is a township of 3,364 people in Menominee County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $185,100 against household income of $65,771; January lows average 10°F.

   3,364 people · Menominee County · median home $185,100 · income $65,771 · Jan low 10°F · 44 in snow

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

2. 24Ishpeming, Michigan

   Retirement: 73rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

   Ishpeming is a township of 3,392 people in Marquette County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $206,400 against household income of $94,271; January lows average 6°F.

   3,392 people · Marquette County · median home $206,400 · income $94,271 · Jan low 6°F · 150 in snow

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

3. 23Acme, Michigan

   Retirement: 95th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 79th percentile

   Acme is a township of 4,456 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $338,300 against household income of $110,281; January lows average 17°F.

   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 →

4. 22Hancock, Michigan

   Retirement: 76th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

   Hancock is a city of 4,501 people in Houghton County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $165,600 against household income of $59,519; January lows average 9°F.

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

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

5. 21Bear Creek, Michigan

   Retirement: 90th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 84th percentile

   Bear Creek is a township of 6,542 people in Emmet County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $364,500 against household income of $71,090; January lows average 12°F.

   6,542 people · Emmet County · median home $364,500 · income $71,090 · Jan low 12°F · 120 in snow

   Full Bear Creek, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Soo, Michigan

   Retirement: 77th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

   Soo is a township of 2,966 people in Chippewa County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $241,200 against household income of $79,107; January lows average 7°F.

   2,966 people · Chippewa County · median home $241,200 · income $79,107 · Jan low 7°F · 106 in snow

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

7. 19Tuscarora, Michigan

   Retirement: 77th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

   Tuscarora is a township of 3,080 people in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $253,700 against household income of $66,042; January lows average 9°F.

   3,080 people · Cheboygan County · median home $253,700 · income $66,042 · Jan low 9°F · 107 in snow

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

8. 18Negaunee, Michigan

   Retirement: 78th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

   Negaunee is a township of 3,232 people in Marquette County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $302,400 against household income of $97,955; January lows average 7°F.

   3,232 people · Marquette County · median home $302,400 · income $97,955 · Jan low 7°F · 197 in snow

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

9. 17Whitewater, Michigan

   Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 79th percentile

   Whitewater is a township of 2,688 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $373,000 against household income of $93,958; January lows average 17°F.

   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 →

10. 16Elmwood, Michigan

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 79th percentile

    Elmwood is a charter township of 4,892 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $436,400 against household income of $94,417; January lows average 19°F.

    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 →

11. 15Benton, Michigan

    Retirement: 84th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 93rd percentile

    Benton is a township of 3,133 people in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $200,900 against household income of $68,401; January lows average 11°F.

    3,133 people · Cheboygan County · median home $200,900 · income $68,401 · Jan low 11°F · 88 in snow

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

12. 14Richfield, Michigan

    Retirement: 79th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

    Richfield is a township of 3,545 people in Roscommon County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $110,200 against household income of $47,055; January lows average 11°F.

    3,545 people · Roscommon County · median home $110,200 · income $47,055 · Jan low 11°F · 64 in snow

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

13. 13Chocolay, Michigan

    Retirement: 85th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 93rd percentile

    Chocolay is a charter township of 5,899 people in Marquette County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $246,800 against household income of $87,167; January lows average 12°F.

    5,899 people · Marquette County · median home $246,800 · income $87,167 · Jan low 12°F · 102 in snow

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

14. 12Little Traverse, Michigan

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 84th percentile

    Little Traverse is a township of 2,657 people in Emmet County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $345,400 against household income of $88,368; January lows average 15°F.

    2,657 people · Emmet County · median home $345,400 · income $88,368 · Jan low 15°F · 124 in snow

    Full Little Traverse, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Benzonia, Michigan

    Retirement: 91st percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 88th percentile

    Benzonia is a township of 2,734 people in Benzie County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $327,000 against household income of $72,500; January lows average 19°F.

    2,734 people · Benzie County · median home $327,000 · income $72,500 · Jan low 19°F · 93 in snow

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

16. 10Suttons Bay, Michigan

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 84th percentile

    Suttons Bay is a township of 2,883 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $440,500 against household income of $115,769; January lows average 17°F.

    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 →

17. 9Petoskey, Michigan

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 84th percentile

    Petoskey is a city of 5,877 people in Emmet County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $364,100 against household income of $74,196; January lows average 15°F.

    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 →

18. 8Rogers City, Michigan

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 88th percentile

    Rogers City is a city of 2,850 people in Presque Isle County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $110,200 against household income of $49,266; January lows average 14°F.

    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 →

19. 7Hamlin, Michigan

    Retirement: 87th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

    Hamlin is a township of 3,711 people in Mason County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $281,400 against household income of $80,919; January lows average 19°F.

    3,711 people · Mason County · median home $281,400 · income $80,919 · Jan low 19°F · 79 in snow

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

20. 6Manistee, Michigan

    Retirement: 92nd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 93rd percentile

    Manistee is a township of 4,022 people in Manistee County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $193,900 against household income of $65,461; January lows average 19°F.

    4,022 people · Manistee County · median home $193,900 · income $65,461 · Jan low 19°F · 103 in snow

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

21. 5East Tawas, Michigan

    Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 93rd percentile

    East Tawas is a city of 2,663 people in Iosco County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $130,200 against household income of $42,450; January lows average 13°F.

    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 →

22. 4Marquette, Michigan

    Retirement: 90th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

    Marquette is a charter township of 4,140 people in Marquette County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $286,700 against household income of $57,983; January lows average 7°F.

    4,140 people · Marquette County · median home $286,700 · income $57,983 · Jan low 7°F · 197 in snow

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

23. 3East China, Michigan

    Retirement: 91st percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

    East China is a township of 3,704 people in St. Clair County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $275,900 against household income of $71,517; January lows average 16°F.

    3,704 people · St. Clair County · median home $275,900 · income $71,517 · Jan low 16°F · 38 in snow

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

24. 2L'Anse, Michigan

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 93rd percentile

    L'Anse is a township of 3,551 people in Baraga County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $122,700 against household income of $54,898; January lows average 7°F.

    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 →

25. 1Baraga, Michigan

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 98th percentile

    Baraga is a township of 3,478 people in Baraga County, Michigan. Homes have a median value of $133,300 against household income of $52,254; January lows average 6°F.

    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 →

Price vs ranking

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• The 24 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
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• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Michigan
• 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan

Same ranking, other places

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• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Texas With the Fewest Tornadoes