If you have spent any time looking at homes in Southeast Michigan, you already know there are neighborhoods where the price tags make your jaw drop. But have you ever wondered which cities are actually the richest cities in Michigan? Not just where the big houses are, but where household incomes are the highest and property values back it up?

I work as a Realtor across Metro Detroit and Oakland County. So I see the numbers behind these communities every single day. I know which areas hold their value, which ones are trending up, and which ones are all hype. In this guide I am going to walk you through the top 15 wealthiest cities in Michigan based on the latest U.S. Census data, and I will tell you what it is actually like to buy and sell in these markets.

How Do You Measure a “Rich” City?

Most rankings of the richest cities in Michigan look at two things: median household income and median home values. Median income tells you what the typical family earns. Home values tell you how much wealth is sitting in the real estate. When both numbers are high, you are looking at a genuinely affluent community.

For context, Michigan’s statewide median household income is about $68,505 according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The national median is around $78,538. Every city on this list crushes those numbers. All the figures below come from the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, which is the most current data available as of 2026.

The Top 15 Richest Cities in Michigan for 2026

I ranked these by median household income because that gives you the most honest picture of what the typical resident actually earns. Here is the full breakdown.

1. Orchard Lake Village

Orchard Lake Village takes the top spot with a median household income of $212,813 and a mean income above $355,000. This Oakland County community of about 2,298 residents is built around a gorgeous 795-acre all-sports lake. Median home values exceed $1.1 million, and most of the seven-figure resales come down to lot width, dockage, and sightlines on the water.

About 20% of residents are under 18, so it is more family-friendly than you might expect for a lakefront luxury community. St. Mary’s Preparatory School sits on a scenic campus along the lake, and everyday conveniences in Birmingham and Farmington Hills are just a short drive away. If you want private lakefront living without leaving Oakland County, Orchard Lake Village is the gold standard.

2. Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Hills is the name most people think of when you talk about the richest cities in Michigan. About 4,412 residents call it home, and the median household income is $200,318. The average is even higher at $350,690. Median property values sit around $656,000, but the luxury estates near Cranbrook and the lakefront easily push past $1 million.

This is where you will find Oakland Hills Country Club, Cranbrook Educational Community, and some of the most architecturally significant homes in Michigan. Over 76% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The real estate moves fast when it is priced right, and working with the right agent matters here because the luxury market plays by its own rules.

3. Huntington Woods

They call it the “City of Homes” and that nickname is earned. Huntington Woods is only 1.5 square miles, but it packs in about 2,364 single-family homes and a median household income of $188,229. The housing stock is mostly classic brick colonials and ranches that have been updated over the years, and the community has a tight-knit feel that is hard to find in Metro Detroit.

This is a favorite for professionals who want to be close to downtown Detroit, Royal Oak, and Ferndale without living in the middle of everything. I have seen well-presented listings here go under contract in about two weeks.

4. Beverly Hills, Michigan

Not the California one. Beverly Hills, Michigan is a quiet Oakland County village with about 10,507 residents and a median household income of $175,460. That jumped 8% from the year before, which tells you the area is trending in the right direction. The median home value is around $488,800, and 94% of homes are owner-occupied.

What makes Beverly Hills attractive is the combination of the Birmingham Public Schools (one of the best districts in the state) and a low-key residential character. People here are not looking for flashy. They want quality schools, safe streets, and mature tree-lined neighborhoods. If you are looking to buy in this part of Oakland County, Beverly Hills is one of the smartest picks right now.

5. East Grand Rapids

If you think all the money in Michigan is concentrated around Detroit, East Grand Rapids would like a word. This west side community of about 11,394 residents has a median household income of $168,487, up over 5% from the year before. The median home value exceeds $640,000, and the city has landed on multiple “Best Places to Live” lists over the years.

East Grand Rapids sits about a mile from downtown Grand Rapids, so you get breweries, restaurants, and cultural attractions at your doorstep while still living in a quiet, residential setting. Reeds Lake is the centerpiece with parks and walking trails surrounding it. If you are exploring wealthy Michigan communities outside Metro Detroit, this is the top pick.

6. Grosse Pointe Farms

Grosse Pointe Farms is part of the legendary Grosse Pointe community along Lake St. Clair. The median household income is $160,589, and the largest chunk of households fall into the $200,000-plus bracket. This is old-money Michigan: tree-lined streets, historic architecture, waterfront parks, and private marinas.

Young families love it for the schools and the easy commute into downtown Detroit. It has a completely different feel from the Oakland County suburbs. Think more East Coast traditional, less suburban sprawl. If you are drawn to lakefront living with history and character, Grosse Pointe Farms is worth a serious look.

7. Birmingham

Birmingham might be the most well-known city on this list and it is the largest by population at about 21,612 residents. The median household income is $153,125, but the median property value of $712,700 tells you where the real wealth sits. The per capita income is around $108,921, among the highest in the state.

What sets Birmingham apart is the energy. The downtown is walkable and packed with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. The schools are strong. Homes move fast. In my experience, well-priced Birmingham listings get multiple offers and often sell above asking. If you want luxury living with a real downtown vibe, Birmingham is hard to beat anywhere in the state.

8. Northville

Northville is one of my personal favorites to show clients because it has a charm that bigger suburbs cannot replicate. The population is about 6,080, and the median household income is $143,875. The average runs higher at about $164,877, and over 96% of residents live above the poverty line.

The downtown is walkable with a farmers market, local shops, and community events throughout the year. Victorian-era homes sit alongside newer builds, and the rolling hills give the area a character all its own. I have helped clients purchase homes in Northville, and the market stays competitive because demand consistently outpaces supply.

9. Grosse Pointe (City)

The City of Grosse Pointe sits between Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Park along the Lake St. Clair shoreline. With about 5,561 residents and a median household income of $141,985, it is the smallest of the five Grosse Pointe communities but holds its own financially. The average household income is closer to $197,500, and 97.6% of residents live above the poverty line. The housing here is a mix of stately older homes and updated colonials, and the community shares the same lakefront lifestyle and school system that makes the entire Grosse Pointe area so desirable.

10. West Bloomfield

West Bloomfield is one of the bigger communities on this list with about 60,798 residents, and the median household income is $139,418. The average climbs to $172,217. This is a diverse, established township in Oakland County with strong schools, multiple lakes, and a wide range of housing from updated ranches to lakefront estates. Over 90% of the workforce holds professional or administrative positions, and 16% of residents run their own businesses. If you want suburban space with serious earning power behind it, West Bloomfield delivers without the boutique price tag of a Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills.

11. Grosse Pointe Park

Grosse Pointe Park is the southernmost of the five Grosse Pointe communities and has about 11,394 residents with a median household income of $121,796. The average is much higher at $181,405, meaning the top earners here pull the numbers up significantly. This is a walkable, artsy neighborhood with a younger energy compared to Grosse Pointe Farms. The waterfront parks, local restaurants along Kercheval, and historic homes make it a favorite among young professionals and families who want a Grosse Pointe address with a more relaxed feel.

12. Troy

Troy is a powerhouse. With about 87,307 residents and a median household income of $119,299, it is one of the largest and most economically significant cities in the state. The median property value is around $396,800. Troy is home to dozens of corporate headquarters, the Somerset Collection, and some of the best-rated public schools in Michigan. Troy ranks second among all Michigan cities with populations over 50,000 for median household income, and for buyers looking for a central Oakland County location with strong resale, it is tough to beat.

13. Rochester Hills

Rochester Hills has about 76,086 residents and a median household income of $119,054. The median property value is around $409,800. What makes Rochester Hills special is the lifestyle. The Clinton River Trail and Paint Creek Trail give families bikeable access to parks, cider mills, and downtown Rochester, which turns into a destination every winter with The Big, Bright Light Show. The schools are top-rated, the neighborhoods are safe, and homes here offer strong value compared to the premium you pay in Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills.

14. Novi

Novi has about 66,224 residents and a median household income of $110,938. The median property value is around $399,100. Twelve Oaks Mall, the Suburban Collection Showplace, and easy access to I-96 and I-275 make it a hub for both shopping and commuting. I have helped clients find homes in Novi and the demand stays strong year-round, especially for newer builds with modern layouts.

15. Farmington Hills

Rounding out the top 15 richest cities in Michigan, Farmington Hills has about 84,173 residents and a median household income just over $101,800. It is a large, well-established Oakland County city with a mix of housing from starter homes to executive estates on wooded lots. The Farmington Hills parks system is one of the best in the county, and the diversity of the population gives the city a welcoming, cosmopolitan feel. For buyers who want Oakland County living without the ultra-premium price tag, Farmington Hills is one of the best entry points on this list.

Honorable Mentions: Michigan’s Tiny Towns With Massive Wealth

Some of the richest cities in Michigan did not make the main list because their populations are extremely small, but the income numbers are wild. Barton Hills near Ann Arbor has a median household income of $250,001 (the Census reporting cap) and a median home value above $1.24 million, but only 478 people live there. Lake Angelus in Oakland County has an average household income above $391,000, but the population is just 290. Franklin, known as “The Town That Time Forgot,” features mean incomes near $264,000 with historic charm and walkable streets.

On the west side of the state, Glen Arbor in Leelanau County near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore attracts well-educated retirees with high incomes, and South Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County features luxurious lakeside estates with median home values above $1 million. These communities are so small that a single family moving in or out can shift the numbers dramatically.

Why Oakland County Dominates the Richest Cities in Michigan

If you noticed a pattern, you are not alone. Oakland County is home to the vast majority of the richest cities in Michigan. The county’s median household income is about $95,296, well above the state average. You have major corporate headquarters in Troy, Southfield, and Auburn Hills bringing high-income professionals into the area, and those professionals want to live in communities with great schools, low crime, and strong property values.

What This Means if You Are Buying or Selling

Understanding where wealth is concentrated is not just trivia. If you are buying, these are the communities with the strongest property value appreciation, the best school districts, and the most stable long-term investment potential. If you are selling, knowing your competition matters. Buyers in these markets are savvy, well-funded, and they expect a certain level of quality.

Competition in cities like Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Grosse Pointe Farms is fierce. Homes regularly get multiple offers. Having an agent who knows the nuances of these markets is the difference between getting the home you want and losing out to someone who was better prepared. That is exactly what I do for my clients. If you are exploring any of these communities, reach out to me directly and let’s build a plan that fits your goals.

Quick Snapshot: The Richest Cities in Michigan by the Numbers

1. Orchard Lake Village | $212,813 median income | ~$1.1M+ home values | 2,298 residents
2. Bloomfield Hills | $200,318 median income | ~$656K home values | 4,412 residents
3. Huntington Woods | $188,229 median income | ~6,300 residents
4. Beverly Hills, MI | $175,460 median income | ~$489K home values | 10,507 residents
5. East Grand Rapids | $168,487 median income | ~$640K home values | 11,394 residents
6. Grosse Pointe Farms | $160,589 median income | 9,957 residents
7. Birmingham | $153,125 median income | ~$713K home values | 21,612 residents
8. Northville | $143,875 median income | 6,080 residents
9. Grosse Pointe | $141,985 median income | 5,561 residents
10. West Bloomfield | $139,418 median income | 60,798 residents
11. Grosse Pointe Park | $121,796 median income | 11,394 residents
12. Troy | $119,299 median income | ~$397K home values | 87,307 residents
13. Rochester Hills | $119,054 median income | ~$410K home values | 76,086 residents
14. Novi | $110,938 median income | ~$399K home values | 66,224 residents
15. Farmington Hills | ~$101,800 median income | 84,173 residents

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Frequently Asked Questions About the Richest Cities in Michigan

What is the richest city in Michigan?

By median household income among cities with a substantial population, Orchard Lake Village leads at $212,813 followed closely by Bloomfield Hills at $200,318. If you include tiny communities, Barton Hills tops everyone at $250,001 (the Census cap) but it only has 478 people.

What are the wealthiest cities near Detroit?

Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Huntington Woods, Beverly Hills, Grosse Pointe Farms, Troy, Rochester Hills, and West Bloomfield are all within 30 minutes of downtown Detroit. Most sit in Oakland County.

Are there rich cities in Michigan outside Metro Detroit?

Yes. East Grand Rapids is the wealthiest community outside Metro Detroit with a median household income of $168,487. Glen Arbor and South Gull Lake also rank among the most affluent, though both have very small populations.

Is it a good time to buy in these areas?

Inventory in most of these communities is tight and homes sell quickly. Prices are strong and have been appreciating steadily. If you are serious about buying in one of these markets, the key is to be prepared before listings hit. That means having your financing locked in and working with an agent who knows the local market inside and out.

Ready to Make a Move?

The richest cities in Michigan offer top-tier schools, safe neighborhoods, vibrant downtowns, and strong long-term property values. Whether you are drawn to the lakefront estates of Orchard Lake Village, the walkable energy of Birmingham, or the corporate convenience of Troy, there is a community on this list that fits what you are looking for.

If you want a Realtor who knows these markets firsthand and will fight to get you the best deal possible, contact me today. I will put together a personalized plan that fits your needs and make sure you do not overpay or miss out on the right home.

Firas Hanna | Licensed Realtor | MBA

248-703-1219 | firasrealestate.com

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, real estate, or other professional advice. While we aim to ensure the information is accurate at the time it is written, we make no guarantees regarding its accuracy, completeness, or currency. You should consult a qualified professional before making any real estate or financial decisions.