Not everyone wants to lay on a beach 24/7. Retirees that want to defy the snowbird stereotype should spend their retirement in Michigan amongst the Great Lakes and all four seasons. In addition to its beautiful scenery, Michigan has an incredibly low cost of living, so you can spend your money on the ‘want to’s’ not the ‘have to’s’ during your retirement.
NewHomeSource found the top 10 cities to retire in Michigan. You can find the perfect city for your retirement, and make this new chapter in your life an exciting adventure.
10 Best Cities to Retire in Michigan
1. Inkster
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.3%
Median Home Value: $47,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 263
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 661
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 21
Inkster is a thriving Detroit suburb, perfect for retirees that want to enjoy the best of urban living, without feeling trapped by the constant hustle and bustle of the city. Inkster, MI is an affordable place to settle down, a great thing for retirees on a fixed income who don’t what to sacrifice their lifestyles.
2. Mount Morris
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $61,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 24
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 64
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Nature loving active adults will love life in Mount Morris, MI. This beautiful Flint suburb makes it easy for you to stay healthy and enjoy the great outdoors during your retirement. The lovely Stepping Stone Falls and Iron Belle Trail are two local spots for hiking, boating, and fishing that let you enjoy the best of Michigan’s natural scenery.
3. Jackson
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.4%
Median Home Value: $66,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 387
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,423
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Jackson, MI has something for everyone. This great city combines a low cost of living with a fun culture and a beautiful natural setting, so no matter how you want to spend your retirement, you can do it in Jackson! Be sure to visit the Cascades, a fun local park that combines a cool light show with waterfalls.
4. Bay City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.3%
Median Home Value: $67,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 250
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 760
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 5
Lakefront living doesn’t get any better than life in Bay City, MI. This affordable city on the shores of Saginaw Bay lets retirees enjoy waterfront living, with numerous spots for hiking, boating, and fishing. Bay City’s funky downtown is home to great restaurants and museums, so you can enjoy the great indoors too!
5. Detroit
Detroit has become a revitalized urban hub, filled with beautiful parks, trendy breweries and coffee houses, and an exciting art hub. Retirees can have an unbeatable quality of life thanks to Detroit’s low cost of living. The Detroit Institute of Arts has over 100 galleries that have art from across the art spectrum.
6. Muskegon
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.6%
Median Home Value: $68,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 261
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,766
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Muskegon, MI gives retirees a fantastic place to call home on the shores of Lake Michigan. If the idea of retiring to the Great Lakes, in an affordable community sounds like a little piece of heaven, then you need to explore the new homes available for sale in Muskegon, and invest in the life you dreamed about in the office.
7. Eastpointe
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.7%
Median Home Value: $69,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 224
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,064
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 20
You can live comfortably in your retirement when you call Eastpointe, MI home. This affordable Detroit suburb lets retirees stretch their fixed incomes, while still providing them with easy access to urban amenities.
8. Adrian
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16%
Median Home Value: $74,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 125
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 485
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Adrian is a comfortable community in Southern Michigan. This peaceful town lets retirees like you kick back and actually enjoy not having to go into the office every day. Relax even more, or take a walk on the wild side, at Adrian’s local winery, the Flying Otter, home to good wine and good times.
9. Roseville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%
Median Home Value: $79,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 190
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,530
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 28
Roseville, MI is a lovely Detroit suburb that lets retirees invest in an exciting urban retirement, without breaking the bank. When you make your home in Roseville, you can enjoy easy access to city living and amenities, without feeling like you’re constantly surrounded by noise and neighbors.
10. Redford
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.6%
Median Home Value: $79,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 305
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,053
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 28
If the idea of retiring in a town with a true sense of community sounds good to you, then you’ll love life in Redford, MI. This delightful suburb fosters a comfortable and connected lifestyle, perfect for anyone who wants to stay active and engaged with their neighbors.
Common Questions About Retiring in Michigan
Michigan is a somewhat tax-friendly state for retirees. Social security income is not taxed, and withdrawals from retirement accounts are only partially taxed.
Yes, income from a pension is fully taxable in Michigan.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Inkster | 12.3% | 263 | 661 | 21 | $47,000 |
| Mount Morris | 16.6% | 24 | 64 | 4 | $61,600 |
| Jackson | 10.4% | 387 | 1,423 | 1 | $66,700 |
| Bay City | 14.3% | 250 | 760 | 5 | $67,100 |
| Detroit | 13.3% | 13,511 | 29,024 | 24 | $45,700 |
| Muskegon | 13.6% | 261 | 1,766 | 2 | $68,800 |
| Eastpointe | 10.7% | 224 | 1,064 | 20 | $69,100 |
| Adrian | 16% | 125 | 485 | 1 | $74,700 |
| Roseville | 13.8% | 190 | 1,530 | 28 | $79,200 |
| Redford | 12.6% | 305 | 1,053 | 28 | $79,200 |
| Romulus | 12% | 191 | 537 | 19 | $80,300 |
| Lansing | 11.6% | 1,320 | 3,622 | 2 | $80,000 |
| Port Huron | 14.6% | 234 | 752 | 3 | $82,100 |
| Burton | 15.8% | 132 | 695 | 4 | $83,400 |
| Battle Creek | 14.4% | 619 | 2,051 | 3 | $83,900 |
| Taylor | 15% | 369 | 1,357 | 19 | $86,300 |
| Garden City | 15.1% | 106 | 246 | 21 | $98,400 |
| Pontiac | 15% | 803 | 1,297 | 17 | $98,900 |
| Wyandotte | 16.5% | 62 | 402 | 19 | $100,900 |
| Southgate | 19.4% | 47 | 794 | 18 | $103,200 |
| Oak Park | 15.9% | 84 | 460 | 29 | $104,000 |
| Genesee | 17.5% | 70 | 224 | 4 | $104,800 |
| Dearborn Heights | 16.1% | 246 | 922 | 24 | $105,300 |
| Kalamazoo | 9.7% | 1,023 | 3,934 | 2 | $103,700 |
| Bedford | 19.1% | 13 | 92 | 4 | $108,200 |
| Madison Heights | 13.1% | 91 | 440 | 28 | $110,500 |
| Warren | 16% | 696 | 2,840 | 24 | $111,700 |
| Westland | 16.7% | 320 | 1,249 | 23 | $112,900 |
| Monroe | 13.6% | 122 | 398 | 5 | $115,700 |
| Wyoming | 10.6% | 353 | 1,480 | 4 | $116,1000 |
| Allen Park | 16.4% | 69 | 505 | 20 | $116,800 |
| St. Clair Shores | 20.2% | 135 | 594 | 17 | $125,500 |
| Frenchtown | 17.4% | 577 | 1,939 | 3 | $126,100 |
| Norton Shores | 20.1% | 48 | 728 | 2 | $128,300 |
| Van Buren | 18.1% | 259 | 1,479 | 11 | $131,400 |
| Grand Rapids | 11.7% | 1,322 | 3,889 | 4 | $131,700 |
| Dearborn | 12.4% | 318 | 1,903 | 22 | $134,000 |
| Mount Pleasant | 15.8% | 7 | 76 | 20 | $298,500 |
| Ypsilanti | 7.2% | 200 | 714 | 8 | $141,100 |
| Holland | 15.2% | 147 | 754 | 3 | $142,000 |
| Auburn Hills | 10.9% | 95 | 534 | 17 | $144,600 |
| Kentwood | 13.2% | 195 | 1,102 | 4 | $145,800 |
| Midland | 16.9% | 61 | 361 | 4 | $146,800 |
| Southfield | 19.4% | 208 | 1,521 | 29 | $146,200 |
| Ferndale | 9.9% | 40 | 345 | 28 | $148,100 |
| Lincoln Park | 11.8% | 209 | 1,029 | 21 | $152,300 |
| Saginaw | 12.6% | 810 | 923 | 4 | $152,300 |
| Flint | 12.5% | 1,759 | 2,689 | 4 | $152,300 |
| Waterford | 15.2% | 150 | 762 | 14 | $156,200 |
| Macomb | 17% | 70 | 343 | 11 | $157,700 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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Dave gerhard
Nice retirement article