The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
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A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Detroit. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Detroit.
#25. Canton Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 98,251
- Median home value: $329,900
- Median rental price: $1,381
- Top schools nearby: Washtenaw International High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), South Arbor Charter Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Mercy High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#24. Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 27,755
- Median home value: $384,800
- Median rental price: $1,076
- Top schools nearby: Washtenaw International High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Achieve Charter Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Greenhills School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#23. Oakland Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 20,019
- Median home value: $528,900
- Median rental price: $1,933
- Top schools nearby: Rochester Adams High School (grade A+), Delta Kelly Elementary School (grade A), Brewster Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Notre Dame Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#22. West Bloomfield Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 65,816
- Median home value: $375,900
- Median rental price: $1,933
- Top schools nearby: International Academy (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#21. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- Population: 4,402
- Median home value: $933,000
- Median rental price: $3,501
- Top schools nearby: International Academy (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+), Ernest W. Seaholm High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#20. Orchard Lake Village, Michigan
- Population: 2,342
- Median home value: $767,900
- Median rental price: $3,067
- Top schools nearby: International Academy (grade A+), Bloomfield Hills High School (grade A+), Doherty Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#19. Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan
- Population: 2,610
- Median home value: $641,500
- Median rental price: $1,807
- Top schools nearby: George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A), Ferry Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Faith Christian School (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#18. Grosse Pointe, Michigan
- Population: 5,621
- Median home value: $379,400
- Median rental price: $1,624
- Top schools nearby: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), Lewis Maire Elementary School (grade A), George Defer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University Liggett School (grade A+), Faith Christian School (grade B), St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#17. Plymouth, Michigan
- Population: 9,300
- Median home value: $413,100
- Median rental price: $1,044
- Top schools nearby: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Achieve Charter Academy (grade A+), Washtenaw Technical Middle College (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Mercy High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#16. Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 39,151
- Median home value: $367,500
- Median rental price: $1,365
- Top schools nearby: Washtenaw International High School (grade A+), Huron High School (grade A+), Community High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Greenhills School (grade A+), Michigan Islamic Academy (grade A+), Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#15. Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
- Population: 16,338
- Median home value: $309,700
- Median rental price: $1,717
- Top schools nearby: George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A), Brownell Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#14. Rochester Hills, Michigan
- Population: 76,041
- Median home value: $359,800
- Median rental price: $1,497
- Top schools nearby: Rochester Adams High School (grade A+), Brewster Elementary School (grade A), Stoney Creek High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+), Brother Rice High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#13. Franklin, Michigan
- Population: 2,653
- Median home value: $710,700
- Median rental price: $3,343
- Top schools nearby: Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), West Maple Elementary School (grade A), Birmingham Covington School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#12. Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
- Population: 11,513
- Median home value: $445,100
- Median rental price: $1,417
- Top schools nearby: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), Lewis Maire Elementary School (grade A), George Defer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University Liggett School (grade A+), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A), Loyola High School (grade B−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#11. Royal Oak, Michigan
- Population: 58,053
- Median home value: $289,800
- Median rental price: $1,260
- Top schools nearby: Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Berkley High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#10. Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
- Population: 10,018
- Median home value: $409,200
- Median rental price: $1,528
- Top schools nearby: Grosse Pointe South High School (grade A+), George Defer Elementary School (grade A), Grosse Pointe North High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University Liggett School (grade A+), De La Salle Collegiate (grade A), Al-Ikhlas Training Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#9. Northville Township, Michigan
- Population: 31,461
- Median home value: $490,800
- Median rental price: $1,688
- Top schools nearby: Northville High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Moraine Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Greenhills School (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#8. Northville, Michigan
- Population: 6,088
- Median home value: $431,500
- Median rental price: $1,245
- Top schools nearby: Northville High School (grade A+), Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Amerman Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Mercy High School (grade A+), Southfield Christian School (grade A+), Detroit Catholic Central High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Berkley, Michigan
- Population: 15,150
- Median home value: $275,100
- Median rental price: $1,309
- Top schools nearby: Berkley High School (grade A), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A), Rogers Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#6. Bloomfield Charter Township, Michigan
- Population: 44,016
- Median home value: $542,400
- Median rental price: $1,723
- Top schools nearby: International Academy (grade A+), Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#5. Rochester, Michigan
- Population: 12,978
- Median home value: $447,800
- Median rental price: $1,158
- Top schools nearby: Stoney Creek High School (grade A), Long Meadow Elementary School (grade A), Rochester High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Notre Dame Preparatory School (grade A+), Auburn Hills Christian School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#4. Huntington Woods, Michigan
- Population: 6,365
- Median home value: $457,600
- Median rental price: $2,266
- Top schools nearby: Berkley High School (grade A), Burton Elementary School (grade A), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), The Roeper School - Grades 6-12 (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#3. Farmington, Michigan
- Population: 11,486
- Median home value: $262,400
- Median rental price: $1,228
- Top schools nearby: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (grade A+), Farmington Steam Academy (grade A), Longacre Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+), Brother Rice High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#2. Beverly Hills, Michigan
- Population: 10,550
- Median home value: $459,500
- Median rental price: $1,529
- Top schools nearby: Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Beverly Elementary School (grade A), Birmingham Covington School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#1. Birmingham, Michigan
- Population: 21,738
- Median home value: $679,700
- Median rental price: $1,803
- Top schools nearby: Troy High School (grade A+), Wylie E. Groves High School (grade A+), Ernest W. Seaholm High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cranbrook Schools (grade A+), Detroit Country Day School (grade A+), Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.