10 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Michigan

If you are about to retire, the goal is always to grab a decent spot with accessible amenities and exemplary outdoor beauty, and then transition into a phase of life that is full of creature comforts and spontaneous outdoor action. Michigan is not the cheapest place to retire, but fortunately, it’s not the most expensive place, either. You can argue with this, but the Mitten State is the most beautiful state east of the Mississippi. Although the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that the median listing price in the state is $299,900, you can still snag an awesome spot for less than this. Still in doubt? Keep reading to discover the 10 wallet-friendly small towns to retire in Michigan.

Houghton Lake

The first indicator that Houghton Lake is a hot cake with retirees is that residents have a median age of 54.5, meaning every other fellow you will be meeting in town is likely an empty nester with some similar interests. And with a median listing price of $212,000, about 70% of the state median, it doubles as a wallet-friendly retirement spot. You can occasionally spend time at Lakeview Waterfront Park, which features a nice fishing area for pike and bluegills, or at the Roscommon Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole beauty split between two sides of the park. There is the Quest Golf Course as well, with hole #9 known as one of the best-kept golfing secrets in Northern Michigan. And, of course, Michigan’s largest inland lake is here, the town's namesake, which features miles of trails for hiking in the summer or snowmobiling in the winter. To crown it all, the nearby Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital has previously been recognized for Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award.

Alma

If you want to retire in a vibrant spot with youthful energy, the grossly underrated rivertown of Alma should certainly be on your list. Alma College, a private liberal arts institution founded in the 1880s, is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. This means you can always mingle with students and enjoy a slightly more diverse socio-cultural menu. The historic Strand Theatre, which opened as a 900-seat single-screen movie theatre before the Great Depression years, is a fun place to watch shows and catch up with friends. Keep in mind that Alma is proud of its Scottish heritage. The annual Alma Highland Festival and Games, which electrifies the town every May, features Scottish dancing, piping, and competitions in traditional Scottish athletic events. Pine River flows through the town and offers epic canoeing and kayaking opportunities, while Pine River Country Club is a nice place to practice your swings and keep fit. On healthcare access, MyMichigan Medical Center Alma is a 97-bed teaching hospital right in town. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Alma was $179,500.

Rogers City

Rogers City reclines on the rustic shoreline of Lake Huron and offers unmatched outdoor adventure opportunities. Living here means retirees here are at the doorstep of Lake Huron, the second largest of the Great Lakes. But if that's not enough, there's also easy access Black Lake, Mullet Lake, and Burt Lake, the latter of which is ranked among Michigan's top 50 fishing lakes. For entertainment, there is the Rogers City Theater, which can transform a dull afternoon into one filled with belly-shaking laughter, and Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground, where you can occasionally spend a quiet night amid the moon’s scintillating glow. Although you will find some primary care facilities in the area, the highly fancied MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is just 30 minutes down the road. The best part is that the median listing home price in Rogers City was $169,000 in September 2025, almost half (56%) of the statewide median.

Bad Axe

Don’t let its name put you off. Bad Axe was named for a worn-out axe that one of the town’s earliest settlers found while surveying the area. With a median listing home price of $199,900, a retiree can find a decent home here and remain with lots of cash for adventure. With places like Port Crescent State Park, an awesome outdoor playground that offers sandy beaches, camping opportunities, and fantastic hiking trails, an empty nester here will always be close to stimulating outdoor action. There is Lake Huron, whose shoreline spans more than 3,800 miles, a reliable airport if you want to dash to Detroit on a whim, and Bad Axe City Park, a cool place to establish a mid-morning walking routine. As for avid golfers, Verona Hills Golf Club boasts a great layout that is tough without being gimmicky. For any scary flu symptoms, McLaren Thumb Region is a 25-bed critical access hospital that has been serving area residents since 1906. It is the only acute care hospital in Michigan’s Huron County.

Trenton

In September 2025, the median listing home price in Trenton was $269,900, a price point that is significantly below the statewide median of $299,900. Considering its small-town charm, significant empty-nester population, and the presence of a beautiful park where you can rest, people-watch, or walk your dog, Trenton provides excellent value for money. The best part is that downtown Detroit is less than 20 minutes down the road, meaning you are always a heartbeat away from big-city amenities and mind-rousing cultural attractions, including places like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Meanwhile, outdoor lovers have the 32-mile Detroit River, Lake Erie, the most biologically diverse of all the Great Lakes, and Lake St Clair, widely regarded as one of the best fishing lakes on the continent. If that’s not enough, Beaumont Hospital is right in town and has been recognized for several awards, including Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award.

Clare

Clare is hidden in the center of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, where the landscape is peaceful and pastoral, especially with the rolling hills and the countryside feel. You know that life here is simple and stress-free, considering the significant presence of the Amish community in the area. You will find an assortment of Amish-operated businesses and shops, the Yoder's Amish Flea Market and Quilt Auction, one of the state’s largest community flea markets, and Shamrock Park, which offers modest outdoor opportunities. The nationally famous Roscommon State Forest Area, an expansive wilderness known for its well-marked hiking trails (such as the highly fancied Lost Twins Trail) is right in your backyard. If a golfing venue is a deal breaker, Firefly Golf Links saves the day with its beautifully maintained fairways, relaxed atmosphere, and scenic woodland setting. The median listing home price in Clare was $237,500 in September 2025, a price point that comes with access to MyMichigan Medical Center Clare, which has bagged multiple awards.

Iron Mountain

Any location that has “mountain” as part of its name should immediately spark anyone’s attention. Fortunately, Iron Mountain is true to its name, especially because of its hilly backdrop and panoramic lookouts, including the famous Millie Hill Scenic Lookout, from where one can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding scenery, including the town. Iron Mountain is a small, family-friendly town tucked away in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Iron Mountain was $194,900, about two-thirds of the statewide median. Nearby outdoor pleasure spots include the Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area, a rewarding area to hunt in, the famous Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort, which offers skiing, full-service dining, and other delights, and the swoon-worthy Timberstone Golf Course, where you can occasionally swing your driver and build well-toned muscles. Meanwhile, water lovers have the 120-mile-long Menominee River, as well as several small lakes. Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson, previously Dickinson County Healthcare System, is right in town.

Marshall

Marshall was founded in the 1830s by George Ketchum, who named the city after Chief Justice John Marshall, regarded by many as the most influential chief justice in the Supreme Court's history. Marshall has a rich history and was initially considered for the state capital. Today, it boasts one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the U.S., which is always a delightful space to wander through. Lansing, which serves as Michigan’s state capital, is just 40 minutes down the road. With the Waterloo State Recreation Area nearby and the many beautiful bridges to explore at the Historic Bridge Park, a retiree here is always a heartbeat away from life-changing outdoor playgrounds. Add the North Branch Kalamazoo River, and the mind-calming Ketchum Park, and you have a solid retirement option. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Marshall was $274,000, which is slightly below the statewide median. Oaklawn Hospital, with a history dating back to the 1920s, is conveniently at your doorstep.

Tawas

Tawas is a small, coy town with fine beaches, a historic lighthouse, and a gorgeous downtown, a delightful stretch known for its soothing nautical charm. It has wide brick-paved sidewalks, a variety of shops for almost all your basic needs, and an eclectic dining scene serving sushi, Mexican cuisine, and, of course, the standard American fare. The median listing home price in Tawas City was $215,000 in September, way below the statewide median. You will have several places to walk, hike, or bike, including the Tawas Bay Pedestrian and Bike Path, the nearby Huron-Manistee National Forests, a phenomenal outdoor playground spanning nearly one million acres, and Tawas Point State Park, affectionately called the "Cape Cod of the Midwest." MyMichigan Medical Center, formerly Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, is in town and has previously received recognitions for safety, performance, and quality.

Midland

In September 2025, the median listing home price in Midland was $298,500, about the same price point as the statewide median. The town is safe, charming, and above all, boasts more than 80 parks, implying an unmatched outdoor appeal. There is Chippewassee Park, which spans more than 30 acres, the swoon-worthy Stratford Woods Park, which features a glittering man-made lake, a pretty beach, and awesome hiking trails, and countless others around the town. Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens is a scintillating green space with a peaceful canopy walk, touted as the nation’s longest. On healthcare access, there is the MyMichigan Medical Center, which boasts an affiliation with the University of Michigan Health System.

So, lack of money is not an excuse to spend your golden years in a drab, run-down place with no amenities or outdoor beauty. Michigan may not be as cheap as Iowa or Mississippi, but in terms of value for money, it makes several locations look average. Several spots in the state, including Ann Arbor, have been previously ranked among the best in the nation for quality of life. It certainly has its issues, but you can’t just dismiss the experience of waking up to shimmering views of a glittering lake, living in safe, peaceful neighborhoods, and enjoying epic outdoor adventure opportunities.