Best suburbs to live in Michigan

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April 3, 2024
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Best suburbs to live in Michigan

Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.

In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.

Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Michigan using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.

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#30. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 534
- Population: 4,402
- Median household income: $200,054
- Median home value: $933,000 (90% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: International Academy (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+), Ernest W. Seaholm High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#29. Orchard Lake Village, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 533
- Population: 2,342
- Median household income: $206,750
- Median home value: $767,900 (96% own)
- Median rent: $3,067 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: International Academy (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+), Doherty Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#28. Haslett, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 517
- Population: 19,091
- Median household income: $72,380
- Median home value: $261,200 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Okemos High School (grade A+), Chippewa Middle School (grade A+), Okemos Public Montessori School at Central (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Spring Vale Christian School (grade A), Lansing Catholic High School (grade A minus), Lansing Christian School (grade B+)
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#27. Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 449
- Population: 2,610
- Median household income: $170,850
- Median home value: $641,500 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,807 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A), Ferry Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Faith Christian School (grade B)
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#26. Farmington Hills, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 419
- Population: 83,562
- Median household income: $101,728
- Median home value: $319,000 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,401 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#25. Grosse Pointe, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 369
- Population: 5,621
- Median household income: $136,094
- Median home value: $379,400 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,624 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), Lewis Maire Elementary School (grade A), George Defer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Liggett School (grade A+), Faith Christian School (grade B), St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School (grade A)
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#24. Plymouth, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 358
- Population: 9,300
- Median household income: $107,156
- Median home value: $413,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,044 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Achieve Charter Academy (grade A+), Washtenaw Technical Middle College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Mercy High School (grade A+)
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#23. Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 347
- Population: 39,151
- Median household income: $92,065
- Median home value: $367,500 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,365 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Washtenaw International High School (grade A+), Huron High School (grade A+), Community High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (grade A+)
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#22. Larkin Charter Township, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 328
- Population: 5,333
- Median household income: $143,365
- Median home value: $288,700 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,078 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: H.H. Dow High School (grade A), Jefferson Middle School (grade A), Woodcrest Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Calvary Baptist Academy (grade B), Trinity Lutheran School (grade unavailable), Faith Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
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#21. Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 317
- Population: 16,338
- Median household income: $125,712
- Median home value: $309,700 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A), Brownell Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A)
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#20. Rochester Hills, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 308
- Population: 76,041
- Median household income: $115,968
- Median home value: $359,800 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,497 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Rochester Adams High School (grade A+), Brewster Elementary School (grade A), Stoney Creek High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+), Brother Rice High School (grade A+)
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#19. Forest Hills, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 291
- Population: 28,425
- Median household income: $150,153
- Median home value: $442,800 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,620 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Northern High School (grade A+), Ada Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A minus), The Potter's House High School (grade A minus)
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#18. Franklin, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 258
- Population: 2,653
- Median household income: $178,167
- Median home value: $710,700 (93% own)
- Median rent: $3,343 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), West Maple Elementary School (grade A), Birmingham Covington School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#17. Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 246
- Population: 11,513
- Median household income: $128,333
- Median home value: $445,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,417 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), Lewis Maire Elementary School (grade A), George Defer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Liggett School (grade A+), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A), Loyola High School (grade B minus)
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#16. Royal Oak, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 219
- Population: 58,053
- Median household income: $92,799
- Median home value: $289,800 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,260 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Berkley High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
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#15. East Grand Rapids, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 196
- Population: 11,385
- Median household income: $160,417
- Median home value: $451,900 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: City Middle/High School (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A minus), The Potter's House High School (grade A minus)
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#14. Ann Arbor, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 184
- Population: 122,216
- Median household income: $78,546
- Median home value: $416,500 (45% own)
- Median rent: $1,472 (55% rent)
- Top public schools: Washtenaw International High School (grade A+), Huron High School (grade A+), Community High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (grade A+)
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#13. Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 171
- Population: 10,018
- Median household income: $156,465
- Median home value: $409,200 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,528 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A)
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#12. Northville Township, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 165
- Population: 31,461
- Median household income: $136,274
- Median home value: $490,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,688 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Northville High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Moraine Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greenhills School (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#11. Northville, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 144
- Population: 6,088
- Median household income: $134,330
- Median home value: $431,500 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,245 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Northville High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Amerman Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Mercy High School (grade A+), Southfield Christian School (grade A+), Detroit Catholic Central High School (grade A+)
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#10. Berkley, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 142
- Population: 15,150
- Median household income: $108,125
- Median home value: $275,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,309 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Berkley High School (grade A), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A), Rogers Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
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#9. Bloomfield Charter Township, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 138
- Population: 44,016
- Median household income: $151,352
- Median home value: $542,400 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,723 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: International Academy (grade A+), Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#8. Rochester, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 122
- Population: 12,978
- Median household income: $102,838
- Median home value: $447,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,158 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Stoney Creek High School (grade A), Long Meadow Elementary School (grade A), Rochester High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Notre Dame Preparatory School (grade A+), Auburn Hills Christian School (grade A)
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#7. Huntington Woods, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 97
- Population: 6,365
- Median household income: $184,815
- Median home value: $457,600 (97% own)
- Median rent: $2,266 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Berkley High School (grade A), Burton Elementary School (grade A), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
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#6. Farmington, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 74
- Population: 11,486
- Median household income: $92,128
- Median home value: $262,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,228 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A), Longacre Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+), Brother Rice High School (grade A+)
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#5. Beverly Hills, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 60
- Population: 10,550
- Median household income: $162,364
- Median home value: $459,500 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,529 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Beverly Elementary School (grade A), Birmingham Covington School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#4. Birmingham, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 58
- Population: 21,738
- Median household income: $151,556
- Median home value: $679,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,803 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Ernest W. Seaholm High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
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#3. Novi, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 47
- Population: 65,870
- Median household income: $110,588
- Median home value: $380,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,584 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: International Academy (grade A+), Novi High School (grade A+), Northville High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+), Brother Rice High School (grade A+)
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#2. Troy, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 28
- Population: 87,170
- Median household income: $115,639
- Median home value: $375,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,461 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: International Academy (grade A+), Troy High School (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
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#1. Okemos, Michigan

- Overall Rank: 8
- Population: 25,549
- Median household income: $88,298
- Median home value: $304,800 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,188 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Okemos High School (grade A+), Chippewa Middle School (grade A+), Okemos Public Montessori School at Central (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lansing Catholic High School (grade A minus), Lansing Christian School (grade B+), New Covenant Christian School (grade B)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.

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