Best counties to retire to in Michigan

Written by:
February 1, 2021
Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Michigan

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Michigan using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Michigan.

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Gogebic County

- Population: 15,414
- Median home value: $69,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $494 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $38,798
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wexford County

- Population: 33,111
- Median home value: $100,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $709 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $44,166
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Menominee County

- Population: 23,234
- Median home value: $95,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $561 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $45,508
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Rklawton // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Iron County

- Population: 11,212
- Median home value: $77,800 (81% own)
- Median rent: $516 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $38,918
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Bay County

- Population: 104,786
- Median home value: $100,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $655 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $48,005
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Cass County

- Population: 51,460
- Median home value: $134,700 (80% own)
- Median rent: $729 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $53,571
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Alcona County

- Population: 10,364
- Median home value: $99,800 (88% own)
- Median rent: $661 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $39,735
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David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Presque Isle County

- Population: 12,797
- Median home value: $102,300 (89% own)
- Median rent: $558 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $46,439
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Oakland County

- Population: 1,250,843
- Median home value: $228,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,043 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $76,387
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stanthejeep // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Grand Traverse County

- Population: 91,746
- Median home value: $194,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $938 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $61,485
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Antrim County

- Population: 23,177
- Median home value: $157,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $749 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $52,589
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Crawford County

- Population: 13,836
- Median home value: $101,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $748 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $47,443
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Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Arenac County

- Population: 15,165
- Median home value: $90,000 (82% own)
- Median rent: $592 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $40,769
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Nick Nolte // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Iosco County

- Population: 25,247
- Median home value: $91,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $639 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $42,102
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Elevatorrailfan // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Ogemaw County

- Population: 20,928
- Median home value: $93,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $672 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $40,150
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O. David Redwine // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Midland County

- Population: 83,389
- Median home value: $137,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $746 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $59,271
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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Clare County

- Population: 30,616
- Median home value: $88,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $652 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $37,369
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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Cheboygan County

- Population: 25,458
- Median home value: $125,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $658 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $46,161
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Charles Bash // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Huron County

- Population: 31,543
- Median home value: $97,300 (81% own)
- Median rent: $607 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $46,320
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User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Gladwin County

- Population: 25,289
- Median home value: $104,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $610 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $43,290
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User:My name // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Charlevoix County

- Population: 26,219
- Median home value: $162,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $713 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $53,207
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US Army Corps of Engineer // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Benzie County

- Population: 17,552
- Median home value: $172,000 (90% own)
- Median rent: $755 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $56,639
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Emmet County

- Population: 33,039
- Median home value: $178,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $805 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $54,055
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Roscommon County

- Population: 23,877
- Median home value: $102,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $674 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $40,302
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Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

#1. Leelanau County

- Population: 21,639
- Median home value: $256,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $865 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $63,831

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