The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Michigan

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 541 towns of 2,500–10,000 people in Michigan. #1 is Peninsula, MI.

1. 25Baraga, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

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

2. 24Manchester, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

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

3. 23Larkin, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 94% of Michigan towns

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

4. 22Lake Orion, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

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

5. 21Franklin, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

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

6. 20Sylvan, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

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

7. 19Acme, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 95% of Michigan towns

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

8. 18Rogers City, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

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

9. 17Canadian Lakes, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

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

10. 16Prairieville, Michigan

    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

11. 15Saugatuck, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

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

12. 14Morton, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 96% of Michigan towns

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

13. 13Whitewater, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

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

14. 12L'Anse, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

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

15. 11Romeo, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

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

16. 10Chelsea, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 97% of Michigan towns

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

17. 9Frankenlust, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

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

18. 8Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

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

19. 7Elmwood, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

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

20. 6Frankenmuth, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 98% of Michigan towns

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

21. 5Bingham, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

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

22. 4Suttons Bay, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

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

23. 3Petoskey, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 99% of Michigan towns

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

24. 2Elk Rapids, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 100% of Michigan towns

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

25. 1Peninsula, Michigan

    Better for retirees than 100% of Michigan towns

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

Price vs ranking

More Michigan rankings

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

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Ohio
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Illinois