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 wants like building your dream home, not just the needs 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. Flint
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.5%
Median Home Value: $29,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 1,305
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,064
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
Flint is a great place to take in art and nature while taking in some much needed relaxation. Flint offers five museums with a variety of art to explore. It is also home to one of Michigan’s biggest county park systems, Stepping Stone Falls, with 11,000 acres of beaches, campgrounds, lakes, rivers, trails, and forests.
2. Saginaw
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.0%
Median Home Value: $40,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 734
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 774
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
Retirees in Michigan are never at a loss for activities in Saginaw. This city is full of entertainment for art and nature lovers. A variety of parks, zoos, museums, and wildlife refuges make this the perfect place to explore.
3. Inkster
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.0%
Median Home Value: $48,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 243
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 600
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 33
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. It is an affordable place to settle down, which is great for retirees on a fixed income not wanting to sacrifice their lifestyles.
4. Mount Morris
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.4%
Median Home Value: $64,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 25
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 31
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
Nature loving, active adults will love life in Mount Morris. 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.
5. Bay City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.9%
Median Home Value: $66,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 283
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 685
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
This city is full of nautical adventure. Retirees can enjoy the water from afar at museums, malls, parks, and Michigan’s largest antique mall. You can also get up close and personal with fishing charters, rowing clubs, sailing, and ferry cruises.
6. Pontiac
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.0%
Median Home Value: $67,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 773
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,308
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 27
Twenty miles north of Detroit, the Pontiac suburb has all the excitement of the big city while still being a relaxing place to retire. Whether you are visiting the Walter P. Chrysler Museum or seeing a live show at the Crofoot, you will always find somewhere to relax and enjoy the sites.
7. Jackson
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.7%
Median Home Value: $68,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 377
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,366
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1
Jackson has something for everyone. This great city combines a low cost of living with a fun culture and beautiful landscape. 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.
8. Detroit
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.6%
Median Home Value: $49,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 13,088
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 28,687
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 29
Detroit has become a revitalized urban hub, filled with beautiful parks, trendy breweries, unique coffee houses, and an exciting art hub. Retirees have an unbeatable quality of life thanks to Detroit’s low cost of living. Not to mention, the Detroit Institute of Arts has over 100 galleries that have art from across the art spectrum.
9. Muskegon
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%
Median Home Value: $73,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 322
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,323
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Muskegon gives retirees a beautiful 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’ve dreamed about.
10. Lincoln Park
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.0%
Median Home Value: $73,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 227
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 820
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 26
Lincoln Park is a quiet city perfect for a relaxing retirement. Museums, historic tours, movie theaters, and bowling alleys are just a few things that make this city a great place to call home.
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.
Yes, there are many first-time homebuyer programs 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 |
| Flint | 13.5% | 1,305 | 2,064 | 5 | $29,500 |
| Saginaw | 13.0% | 734 | 774 | 5 | $40,100 |
| Inkster | 12.0% | 243 | 600 | 33 | $48,700 |
| Mount Morris | 15.4% | 25 | 31 | 5 | $64,700 |
| Bay City | 13.9% | 283 | 685 | 5 | $66,800 |
| Pontiac | 10.0% | 773 | 1,308 | 27 | $67,100 |
| Jackson | 10.7% | 377 | 1,366 | 1 | $68,400 |
| Detroit | 13.6% | 13,088 | 28,687 | 29 | $49,200 |
| Muskegon | 13.8% | 322 | 1,323 | 2 | $73,000 |
| Lincoln Park | 12.0% | 227 | 820 | 26 | $73,700 |
| Adrian | 17.3% | 151 | 588 | 1 | $76,800 |
| Eastpointe | 11.3% | 224 | 829 | 28 | $77,200 |
| Lansing | 11.9% | 1,321 | 3,396 | 2 | $83,500 |
| Roseville | 14.0% | 183 | 1,362 | 27 | $86,400 |
| Port Huron | 15.0% | 221 | 669 | 3 | $86,700 |
| Battle Creek | 15.1% | 584 | 2,055 | 4 | $86,500 |
| Burton | 15.4% | 141 | 740 | 4 | $87,600 |
| Redford | 12.8% | 247 | 962 | 35 | $87,700 |
| Birmingham | 14.9% | 11 | 130 | 31 | $91,100 |
| Taylor | 14.9% | 382 | 1,398 | 27 | $96,300 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city. 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. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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Dave gerhard
Nice retirement article