The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Michigan

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

1. 25Yankee Springs, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 90% of Michigan towns

   Yankee Springs is a township of 5,322 people in Barry County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 79% of Michigan towns.

   5,322 people · Barry County · median home $373,900 · income $84,786 · Jan low 16°F · 70 in snow

   Full Yankee Springs, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Peninsula, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 90% of Michigan towns

   Peninsula is a township of 6,068 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 98% 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 →

3. 23Whitewater, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 91% of Michigan towns

   Whitewater is a township of 2,688 people in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns and more upscale 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 →

4. 22Hayes, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 91% of Michigan towns

   Hayes is a township of 2,725 people in Otsego County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 89% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 74% of Michigan towns.

   2,725 people · Otsego County · median home $222,300 · income $77,629 · Jan low 12°F · 149 in snow

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

5. 21Casco, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 92% of Michigan towns

   Casco is a township of 2,796 people in Allegan County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 95% of Michigan towns and better for retirees than 86% of Michigan towns.

   2,796 people · Allegan County · median home $310,200 · income $84,637 · Jan low 22°F · 109 in snow

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

6. 20Negaunee, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 92% of Michigan towns

   Negaunee is a township of 3,232 people in Marquette County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 97% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 91% of Michigan towns.

   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 →

7. 19Pickford, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of Michigan towns

   Pickford is a township of 2,791 people in Chippewa County, Michigan. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 90% of Michigan towns and better for families than 83% of Michigan towns.

   2,791 people · Chippewa County · median home $167,400 · income $99,688 · Jan low 7°F · 101 in snow

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

8. 18Otsego Lake, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of Michigan towns

   Otsego Lake is a township of 2,857 people in Otsego County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of Michigan towns and better for young professionals than 77% of Michigan towns.

   2,857 people · Otsego County · median home $218,400 · income $73,073 · Jan low 12°F · 149 in snow

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

9. 17Rollin, Michigan

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of Michigan towns

   Rollin is a township of 3,035 people in Lenawee County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 80% of Michigan towns.

   3,035 people · Lenawee County · median home $224,500 · income $79,736 · Jan low 13°F · 33 in snow

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

10. 16Hamlin, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 93% of Michigan towns

    Hamlin is a township of 3,711 people in Mason County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 87% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 77% of Michigan towns.

    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 →

11. 15Grattan, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 93% of Michigan towns

    Grattan is a township of 3,809 people in Kent County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 90% of Michigan towns and easier by car than 89% of Michigan towns.

    3,809 people · Kent County · median home $355,800 · income $111,354 · Jan low 13°F · 71 in snow

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

12. 14Benzonia, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 94% of Michigan towns

    Benzonia is a township of 2,734 people in Benzie County, Michigan. It also ranks better transit than 92% of Michigan towns and better for retirees than 91% of Michigan towns.

    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 →

13. 13Littlefield, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 95% of Michigan towns

    Littlefield is a township of 3,200 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 83% of Michigan towns and more of a college town than 75% of Michigan towns.

    3,200 people · Emmet County · median home $256,500 · income $85,262 · Jan low 9°F · 116 in snow

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

14. 12Prairieville, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 95% 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 retirees than 96% 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 →

15. 11Almira, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 96% of Michigan towns

    Almira is a township of 3,873 people in Benzie County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 83% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 83% of Michigan towns.

    3,873 people · Benzie County · median home $284,600 · income $90,278 · Jan low 16°F · 143 in snow

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

16. 10Chikaming, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 97% of Michigan towns

    Chikaming is a township of 2,778 people in Berrien County, Michigan. It also ranks quieter than 96% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 92% of Michigan towns.

    2,778 people · Berrien County · median home $366,900 · income $83,908 · Jan low 17°F · 63 in snow

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

17. 9Suttons Bay, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 97% of Michigan towns

    Suttons Bay is a township of 2,883 people in Leelanau County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% 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 →

18. 8Lyndon, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of Michigan towns

    Lyndon is a township of 2,656 people in Washtenaw County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 99% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 97% of Michigan towns.

    2,656 people · Washtenaw County · median home $350,200 · income $122,568 · Jan low 16°F · 33 in snow

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

19. 7Little Traverse, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of Michigan towns

    Little Traverse is a township of 2,657 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns and more upscale than 85% of Michigan towns.

    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 →

20. 6Ferrysburg, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of Michigan towns

    Ferrysburg is a city of 2,952 people in Ottawa County, Michigan. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 100% 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 →

21. 5Resort, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns

    Resort is a township of 2,835 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for families than 93% of Michigan towns and better transit than 90% of Michigan towns.

    2,835 people · Emmet County · median home $394,500 · income $103,929 · Jan low 15°F · 124 in snow

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

22. 4Saugatuck, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns

    Saugatuck is a township of 3,443 people in Allegan County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% 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 →

23. 3Petoskey, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns

    Petoskey is a city of 5,877 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns and better for young professionals 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. 2Bear Creek, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of Michigan towns

    Bear Creek is a township of 6,542 people in Emmet County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of Michigan towns and better for cycling than 88% of Michigan towns.

    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 →

25. 1Elk Rapids, Michigan

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of Michigan towns

    Elk Rapids is a township of 2,521 people in Antrim County, Michigan. It also ranks better for retirees 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 →

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

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in America
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New York
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New Jersey