The 15 Richest Cities in Michigan 2023

There is no denying that Michigan is an up-and-coming state where people are relocating into. Situated just 90 miles from Chicago, it is in a perfect spot if you prefer to be close to major city amenities and a hospitable, coastal community. Michigan offers easier access to other parts of the country and is considered one of the richest states. 

If you love water-based activities, Michigan is a great landing spot for you. It is home to beautiful attractions and has a lot of family-oriented activities that you can partake in. Since it borders four of the five Great Lakes in the United States, you will be surrounded by almost 3,000 miles of freshwater.

Residents of Michigan can enjoy the four different seasons which only further enhances the beautiful landscapes that naturally come within the state. The population of Michigan is roughly 10 million people which makes it within the top 10 most populous states in the country.

One of the biggest industries that Michigan is known for is automotive. The other significant industries that govern Michigan include manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture.

The median household income in Michigan is approximately $59,000 and the median home value is $185,000 which is relatively lower compared to other states.  The median household income in Michigan is slightly higher than the median household income in the neighboring midwestern state of Ohio ($58,000)

Another big advantage of moving to Michigan is the access to top-quality education from high school to university grade levels. These are only a handful of reasons why people who live in San Francisco or New York City relocate to Michigan. 

Detroit Michigan Temple, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

How is Median Household Income calculated?

According to Census.gov, the calculation of median household income includes the income of all households and individuals who are 15 years and older who are living in the same household. When calculating median household income, it does not take into consideration if the individuals are related to each other.

What is the Richest County in Michigan?

The richest county in Michigan is Livingston County with a median household income of approximately $80,000. With a population of roughly 193,000 people, Livingston County is located in Southeast Michigan which offers its residents convenient access to the cities of Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Flint.

What is the Richest Zip Code in Michigan?

There are several wealthiest cities in Michigan and the richest zip code in the state belongs to 48304 or Bloomfield Hills located in Oakland County. Some of the wealthiest people in Michigan live in this zip code and is considered one of the wealthiest communities in the county. Affluent neighborhoods in this zip code boast of the highest median incomes in the state and is one of the wealthiest areas in the region.

Traverse City, Michigan 

Median Household Income: $61,000

People playing at West Bay Public Pier and Beach at Traverse City

Traverse City is not only known as one of the wealthiest cities in Michigan but it is also the largest producer of cherries in the United States. Because of this, the city hosts an annual week-long National Cherry Festival that attracts more than 50,000 people during harvest week.

The Traverse City area has a lot of things to offer including natural attractions, biking trails, vineyards, freshwater beaches, and forests. Because of this, Traverse City is considered one of the best places to retire in the country as well as a small-town travel destination.

Hickory Corners, Michigan

Cars inside the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners
Vintage BMW

Median Household Income: $65,000

One of the wealthiest cities in Michigan is Hickory Corners which is located in Barry County. The very first settler of this town was Rev. Moses Lawrence who built his home in 1834 along Lawrence Lake. The town was named after a large hickory tree that the surveyors found in 1837 in the middle of the town. You will also find the Gilmore Car Museum which includes the Michigan MotorSports Hall of Fame.

Novi, Michigan

A rainy place in Novi, MI

Median Household Income: $93,000

With a population of 55,000 people, Novi flanks both Detroit and Ann Arbor which makes it a strategic location to move into. Back then most of Novi was farmland and open spaces which had been developed in the 20th century except the Tollgate Farm.

Novi also hosts historical sites including the Colonel Samuel White Homestead site and the Jacob and Rebecca Fuerst Farmstead as well as the Novi Depot.

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills, MI

Median Household Income: $94,000

The rich history of Rochester Hills started with the first occupation of settlers of European descent in 1817. It was organized as Avon Township in 1835 and incorporated into the City of Rochester Hills in 1984. It is located within 12 miles of the northern part of the city of Detroit.

Nowadays, the residents of Rochester Hills enjoy the status of being voted one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. The City of Rochester Hills supports the prosperous community and offers residents and businesses superior services.

Troy, Michigan

Somerset Collection in Troy, MI

Median Household Income: $104,000

Troy is another wealthy city that comes in Oakland County. With a population of approximately 80,000 people, it is the largest city in the county and the most populous. Troy has a bustling business district and is considered a shopping destination in the region because of the presence of the Somerset Collection mall and a number of retail shops that can be found inside the mall.

With plenty of housing opportunities, economic strength, and quality of education, Troy has consistently ranked as the safest and best place to live in the United States.

West Bloomfield, Michigan

Sunset over Cass Lake in West Bloomfield, MI

Median Household Income: $106,000

Sometimes referred to as the “Lake Township of Oakland County”, West Bloomfield is characterized by small and medium-sized lakes including Cass Lake which is the largest lake in the county. 

Orchard Lake is another lake that anchors this town and has a private country club on its shore.

West Bloomfield is considered one of the richest cities in Michigan and it is one of the most expensive places to live in Oakland County.

Northville, Michigan

Hines Park in Northville, MI

Median Household Income: $111,000

With rolling hills and an attractive greenery space, the Northville area exudes a small-town atmosphere and a stately Victorian-era architecture. Northville is considered one of the wealthiest cities in Michigan and prides itself in the Historic District that houses older homes built before the 1930s.

One of the main attractions of Northville is called the Mill Race Village which was opened on the site of John Miller’s gristmill. There are several historic complexes, which include The New School Church, Wash Oak School, and the Cottage House.

Birmingham, Michigan

Downtown Birmingham, MI

Median Household Income: $126,000

Birmingham is one of the wealthiest cities in Michigan and is home to upscale shopping and dining as well as nightlife options. When you live in Birmingham, you will have a perfect blend of outdoor ambiance and a plethora of arts and entertainment options.

The city of Birmingham has a rich history and was part of land ceded by Native American tribes to the US government by the 1807 Treaty of Detroit. The early settlers of the town founded the First United Methodist Church in 1821.

The city also boasts 20 nature parks with numerous amenities including golf courses, sledding hills, and picnic areas. Shain Park is the site of the village fair, summer music concerts, and community events.

Beverly Hills, Michigan

Beverly Hills, MI

Median Household Income: $127,000

With a median household income of $127,000, the next city on the list of richest cities in Michigan is Beverly Hills. It is a northern suburb of Metro Detroit and is located 5 miles from the north of Detroit. Considered the most populous village in Michigan, Beverly Hills has 35 acres of nature trails that offer skating and sledding opportunities.

Beverly Park is one of the central recreational areas in Beverly Hills. Residents and visitors can enjoy two playground structures as well as basketball courts, tennis courts, and a wooden nature area for biking and walking. There is also a sledding hill and ice skating rink during the winter months.

Forest Hills, Michigan 

Forest Hills, MI on paper

Median Household Income: $130,000

Forest Hills is an unincorporated community and is located in Kent County with a population of 25,000 people. The Grand River crosses the community from the east side of the city to the northwest corner.

Considered one of the richest cities in Michigan, Forest Hills was incorporated in December 1959 and includes a residential subdivision as well as a large business area. One of the places of interest that are found in this city is called The Funk House property which is adjacent to the Forest Hills subdivision. There is also a small historical cemetery called the Funk Cemetery which is the resting place of the members of the Funk family.

Huntington Woods, Michigan

Huntington Woods, MI highlighted

Median Household Income: $136,000

Also known as the “City of Homes”, Huntington Woods consists of mostly residential areas with the Rackham Golf Course located in the southern part of the city. The nickname “City of Homes” came about because of the number of residential homes that are found in it with approximately 2,364 homes which are mostly single-family residences. Part of the Detroit Zoo is located in Huntington Woods and is constantly ranking as the top 10 best suburbs to live in the United States.

With a population of approximately 6,000 people, Huntington Woods is located in the Woodward Corridor and is surrounded by Ten and Eleven Mile Roads. It is located less than 15 miles away from Downtown Detroit and it is within walking distance to Downtown Royal Oak and a short drive from Ferndale and Birmingham.

Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

Gross Pointe Farms, MI

Median Household Income: $143,000

Located in Wayne County, Grosse Pointe Farms is considered the richest city in Michigan and is a great place to live especially for young families. The city has two major business districts that can be found on Kercheval Avenue and Mack Avenue. Considered the heart of the community is an establishment called The Hill which houses the Central Library and the historic Cottage Hospital. It is a financial and real estate hub that has a lot of convenient parking access so that residents and visitors can have easy access to other businesses and restaurants.

Mack Avenue is the main thoroughfare that established the important connection from Downtown Detroit to the east side neighborhoods including Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, and Grosse Pointe Farms. This main street has a mixture of professional and personal services and is very pedestrian-friendly.

East Grand Rapids, Michigan

East Grand Rapids, MI

Median Household Income: $144,000

East Grand Rapids is considered one of the best cities in Michigan and it is located in Kent County. With a population of more than 10,000 people, the city offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities that are located in the City Parks. The city of East Grand Rapids has 10 parks and natural areas which house recreational facilities that encompass 180 acres of green space and public-use land.

Reeds Lake Trail is another popular trail for walkers, runners, and cyclists. It features a wooded area, wetlands, and residential areas that back into the trail.

East Grand Rapids has a rich history and was first settled in the early 1830s by the Reed Family who came from New York, New York. One of the first establishments that were opened in the city was a school near Reeds Lake.

Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

Median Household Income: $161,000

Located in Macomb and Wayne County in Michigan, Grosse Pointe Shores was incorporated as a village in 1911 and was incorporated as a city in 2009. The city is located along the shores of Lake St. Clair and is known as being home to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House as well as the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

Grosse Pointe Shores is located 15 miles northeast of Detroit and it has the largest shoreline in the Grosse Pointe communities. It is a family-friendly and the city's residents can enjoy a picturesque community that has exceptional views of Lake St. Clair.

Residents who live in Grosse Pointe Shores have higher incomes and net worth. They can enjoy the suburban and residential feel of the area and take a short drive to Detroit. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to get to Detroit and will have access to world-class outdoor activities, education, and hosts to major league sports institutions.

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 

Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, MI

Median Household Income: $177,600

The richest town in Michigan is Bloomfield Hills with a median household income of $177,600. It is a northern suburb of Metro Detroit and is considered a small city measuring 5 square miles. With rolling terrain, watercourses and distinct architecture, the city of Bloomfield Hills is truly unique and is considered one of the top 5 wealthiest cities in all of the country.

The city’s premier attraction is called the Cranbrook House and Gardens which boasts of more than 40 acres of gardens that visitors and residents can explore. It is considered the centerpiece of Cranbrook’s sprawling National Historic Landmark campus which covers 300 acres.

Residents of Bloomfield Hills typically have higher income levels. Those who are lucky enough to call Bloomfield Hills their home are afforded a suburban rural community feel and most residents are homeowners. Most residents can enjoy the natural parks and greeneries surrounding the residential areas and still be near Detroit.