If you’re searching for the wealthiest places to live in Metro Detroit, start with Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Bloomfield Township, then look to lakefront enclaves like Grosse Pointe Shores and Orchard Lake Village. This guide ranks the top 12 using recent home-sale trends, income data, schools, and lifestyle signals. Want walkable luxury with fine dining and boutiques? Choose Birmingham. Want privacy on acreage and country-club calm? Aim for Bloomfield Township or Oakland Township.
Why this ranking matters now
Metro Detroit is in a moment. Prices at the top end keep setting records while a few communities are quietly outpacing the market on household income, price per square foot, and lifestyle amenities that hold long-term value. Families want great schools and parks. Executives want privacy and proximity. Everyone wants an address that ages well. Below is the definitive, locally grounded look at the 12 wealthiest suburbs in Metro Detroit, what makes each one special, and who each suburb actually fits best in real life.
The 12 Wealthiest Suburbs
12. Troy
Troy is corporate central for Oakland County, with the Big Beaver corridor anchoring a dense mix of Class A offices, dining, and Somerset Collection’s luxury retail. Gucci, Hermès, and Prada are on site, and the mall lists about 160–180 stores and restaurants across its north and south campuses. For weekends and kid time, residents slide over to Stage Nature Center’s 100-acre preserve or the seasonal Troy Family Aquatic Center by Civic Center Drive. Commuters have the Troy Transit Center for Amtrak’s Wolverine service, with quick hops to Birmingham and Detroit, and I-75 access is minutes away. On the numbers, Troy School District is a perennial top performer, ranking near the top statewide on Niche. The housing market has remained quick by metro standards, with October 2025 median sold price around the mid-$400s and typical days on market in the 20s, varying by school catchment and neighborhood. Expect strong demand for updated colonials in 48085 and easy resale near Somerset and the corporate core.
Best fit: Professionals who want convenience, newer housing stock, and a central launchpad close to everything.
Comparing suburbs on safety, schools, and day-to-day comfort? Explore our top safest places to live in Metro Detroit
11. Rochester Hills
Rochester Hills wraps around the storybook downtown of Rochester, which turns into a destination every winter with The Big, Bright Light Show illuminating Main Street. The area is ringed by trails, including the 16-mile Clinton River Trail and the Paint Creek Trail that links Rochester, Rochester Hills, and north to Lake Orion, which gives families bikeable access to parks, cider mills, and river overlooks. Economically, Rochester Hills’ median household income sits around the high-$110Ks to low-$120Ks depending on source and year, and the for-sale market stays competitive with short marketing times for move-in ready homes. Buyers targeting top elementary zones or newer construction will see multiple-offer dynamics, especially close to trailheads and the Rochester border.
Best fit: Families who want parks, trails, and a steady resale market near a true Main Street.
10. Oakland Township
Oakland Township is the move for acreage, privacy, and estate-style living north of Rochester. Trophy properties dot gated drives, and the market periodically features high-ticket estates, including the widely covered Winkler Mill property associated with Eminem that ultimately sold at a steep discount years after purchase. Day-to-day, buyers are choosing wooded lots, newer construction on 1–5 acres, and proximity to Paint Creek Trail and cider country. The current market skews upper tier, with 48363 and similar ZIPs showing very high median sale prices and 3–5 week marketing windows. Expect low inventory, seasonal swings, and strong premiums for turn-key luxury with outbuildings, pools, and modern mechanicals.
Best fit: Executives who value seclusion, newer construction, and a short drive to Rochester’s amenities.
9. Northville
Northville blends Victorian character with a compact, walkable downtown and a district that sits at or near the top of statewide school rankings. The National Register Northville Historic District centers the neighborhood grid, and the city’s preservation program keeps the “painted ladies” feel intact. Families prize the district’s results and the calendar of festivals, markets, and Mill Race Village programming within a minute or two of Main Street. Prices fluctuate month to month, with October 2025 medians around the low-to-mid $400Ks citywide and materially higher medians in the 48168 new-er build ZIP. Competitive homes still move in two to four weeks and over-ask outcomes cluster around walkable blocks close to downtown dining and schools.
Best fit: Families who want elite schools, a tight-knit downtown, and strong long-term resale.
Grosse Pointe Farms, Facebook
8. Grosse Pointe Farms
The Farms mixes lake privileges, club culture, and a tight neighborhood fabric. Residents use Pier Park on Lake St. Clair with a resident pass, and the golf-tennis-bowling axis at the 1897-founded Country Club of Detroit adds classic amenities in a Tudor-style clubhouse. Nearby, “The Hill” on Kercheval serves as the shopping and dining spine. Architecture leans historic, brick Tudors and Colonials with original millwork and, on Lake Shore, a roster of notable early-20th-century architects. Marketwise, 2025 brought sharp appreciation for well-located listings, with September medians up strongly year over year and marketing times commonly within two to three weeks. Buyers should expect premiums for updated kitchens, lake proximity, and walkability to The Hill
Best fit: Buyers who love historic homes, private parks, and a close community fabric on Lake St. Clair.
7. Huntington Woods
A tiny 1.5-square-mile city with tree-lined blocks and a hyper-local feel, Huntington Woods posts one of Metro Detroit’s highest median household incomes, and resale turns quickly when listings hit. Its location puts residents minutes from the Detroit Zoo, downtown Royal Oak, and Ferndale restaurants, while the housing stock is classic brick colonials and ranches with tasteful updates. Inventories are thin and pricing reflects that reality, with 2025 medians rising materially and median days on market at about two weeks for well-presented homes. Expect immediate attention for homes with finished basements, new roofs, and modern mechanicals.
Best fit: Professionals seeking a quiet, central location with top neighborhood fundamentals.
6. Beverly Hills
Michigan’s most populous village sits in the heart of Oakland County and draws for quiet streets, parks, and close proximity to Birmingham amenities. The income base is strong, and the housing stock is primarily mid-century to late 20th-century colonials and ranches on wide, leafy lots. School choices include nearby Birmingham Public Schools and a short drive to top private options. Market conditions swing by pocket. Village-west side areas remain very competitive, and October 2025 data show quick pendings and healthy price per foot when cosmetics and systems are dialed. Buyers who want walk-bike access to Southfield Road corridors and Birmingham retail will pay a premium.
Best fit: Buyers who want central Oakland County convenience and neighborhood calm without compromising on access.
5. Orchard Lake Village
If you want luxury lake life inside the ring, this is the enclave. Orchard Lake is roughly 795 acres with depths around 110 feet, anchored by the St. Mary’s campus and a DNR public launch that keeps the water technically public even as shoreline homes remain private and high end. Inventory is tiny, frontage is everything, and most seven-figure resales trade on lot width, dockage, and sightlines. Household income is among the highest in Michigan, and 2025 market reads show seven-figure medians and quick velocity for renovated lakefront. Expect competition for modern lake kitchens, boathouses, and properties with 80 feet or more of frontage.
Best fit: Boaters and waterfront buyers who want privacy and a true all-sports lake close to everyday amenities.
4. Grosse Pointe Shores
Statistically, one of the state’s highest-income towns, the Shores is almost all water by area, a sliver of land plus sweeping Lake St. Clair frontage. Cultural anchors include the National Historic Landmark Ford House estate, and harbor life centers on the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, which operates a full-service marina with 250-plus slips and a 75,000-square-foot clubhouse. Housing options range from stately lakefront to well-kept colonials inland. Affluent demographics, club culture, and resident-only parks keep demand steady for updated properties with garages that can handle a serious car collection.
Best fit: Waterfront traditionalists who want prestige addresses, private amenities, and tight community ties.
3. Bloomfield Township
The township offers country-club calm, larger lots, and a deep bench of private and parochial school options. A newly built estate on Miller Way East set Michigan’s 2024 sales watermark at $7,000,000, and nearby Bloomfield Village keeps delivering $1.3M–$2.0M medians for renovated classics. Golf and swim options are abundant, and proximity to Cranbrook and Birmingham retail rounds out the lifestyle. By the numbers, Bloomfield-area ZIPs saw sizable year-over-year gains in late 2025, with 48301 and 48302 showing robust medians and two-to-four-week marketing times for well-priced homes. Premiums accrue for lake adjacency, modernized floor plans, and three-car garages.
Best fit: Buyers wanting large lots, newer luxury construction, and proximity to top private and parochial schools.
See why Birmingham leads for walkable luxury in our update on designer stores coming to downtown
2. Birmingham
Birmingham is the luxury, walkable hub. The shopping district cites nearly 300 retailers with a dense grid of dining, boutiques, and parks. It even has a members-only car club, Out Of Office Garage, where collectors store and socialize around high-end vehicles. Price per square foot is typically among the highest in the state, and 48009 medians frequently clear the million-dollar mark for new or fully rebuilt homes near downtown. Recent Redfin reads show PPSF in the mid-to-high $300s metro-wide, with Downtown Birmingham tracking even higher. Expect fierce competition for new builds with first-floor suites, and for renovated homes on sidewalks that connect to Shain Park, Old Woodward, and Pierce.
Best fit: Upscale buyers who want to park on Friday and live locally all weekend.
1. Bloomfield Hills
The pinnacle address mixes legacy estates, private lanes, and marquee institutions. Cranbrook’s 319-acre National Historic Landmark campus anchors the prestige factor, with the schools ranked No. 1 private K-12 and No. 1 private high school in Michigan on Niche’s latest lists. Oakland Hills Country Club’s restored South Course adds major-championship pedigree. On market stats, Bloomfield Hills saw October 2025 medians around $1.3M and sub-three-week marketing times for the right properties. Lake, golf, and Cranbrook-adjacent homes trade at significant premiums, and serious buyers should be ready to move with proof of funds and inspection strategies aligned to luxury norms.
Best fit: Executive buyers seeking privacy, architecture, and a blue-chip address near the region’s cultural crown jewels.
Want a deeper look at Detroit’s highest-end enclaves? Read our full breakdown of the 5 priciest neighborhoods for luxury homes
How this list was built
This ranking synthesizes recent median household income, neighborhood-level sales performance, and lifestyle factors that show up in day-to-day living: walkability, parks and water access, school performance, private-club ecosystems, and retail-restaurant density. Because micro-markets shift block by block, use these notes to build a short list, then dig into comps and on-the-ground nuance with a local expert.
Key Takeaways
- Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Bloomfield Township anchor the top tier for long-term luxury value.
- Grosse Pointe Shores and Farms deliver historic architecture with lake privileges and club culture.
- Orchard Lake Village is Metro Detroit’s close-in, luxury lakefront alternative.
- Northville and Rochester Hills balance top schools, parks, and competitive pricing for families.
- Troy and Beverly Hills offer central access, steady resale, and strong neighborhood fundamentals.
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People Also Ask: Quick Answers
What is the wealthiest suburb in Metro Detroit?
Bloomfield Hills sits at the top for luxury pricing, institutions, and legacy estates.
Which suburb has the best walkability for luxury buyers?
Birmingham, with nearly 300 retailers plus parks and restaurants in a dense, pedestrian-friendly grid.
Where can I find luxury lakefront close to Detroit?
Orchard Lake Village and the Grosse Pointes offer premium waterfront options with private docks and club access.
Are Northville schools among the best?
Yes. Northville Public Schools rank near the top statewide and are a major driver of demand.
What’s special about Grosse Pointe Shores?
It’s almost entirely Lake St. Clair by area, anchored by Ford House and a nationally regarded yacht club.
Where did Michigan’s biggest recent luxury sale happen?
Bloomfield Township saw a new-build estate set Michigan’s 2024 watermark at $7,000,000.
Is Troy a safe place to live?
Troy consistently earns high “best places” and safety marks and benefits from a deep amenities stack.
Which suburbs are best for privacy on acreage?
Oakland Township and parts of Bloomfield Township lead for multi-acre lots and gated settings.
Metro Detroit’s wealth map isn’t guesswork. It shows up in price per foot, lake frontage, school outcomes, and where people actually spend their time. If you need walkable luxury, Birmingham leads. If you want legacy architecture and privacy, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township are hard to beat. If lake life calls your name, Orchard Lake Village and the Pointes put you on the water with quick runs to downtown. When you’re ready to narrow a short list, reach out for neighborhood-level comps and a plan that fits how you live.
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