10 Most Affordable Ann Arbor Suburbs to Live in 2024

Often called “Tree Town” for its dense forests, Ann Arbor, MI, is an iconic Midwestern city. There are countless things to do in the city whether you check out the University of Michigan campus and watch a football game, explore the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, and check out the Kerrytown District.

No wonder 121,500 people are living in Ann Arbor. If you’re considering buying a home in Ann Arbor, expect the median home sale price to be around $429,950, and the average rent for an apartment in Ann Arbor to be about $3,000. 

If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to buy a home, Redfin has gathered a list of the 10 best affordable Ann Arbor suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 30 miles away from the city. That way you can live nearby without paying the price of living in Ann Arbor.

#1: Westland

Median home price: $180,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $163 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,262 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 27 miles
Westland, MI homes for sale
Westland, MI apartments for rent 

With a median home sale price of $180,000, Westland claims the first spot on our list of affordable Ann Arbor suburbs. About 85,400 people live in this suburban area and you’ll only be about 30 minutes away from downtown Ann Arbor. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to play a round of golf at Mack Mayfield Municipal Golf Course, explore the Nankin Mills Recreation Area, and see a show at The Token Lounge.

#2: Romulus

Median home price: $200,750 
Average sale price per square foot: $147 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,341 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 23 miles
Romulus, MI homes for sale
Romulus, MI apartments for rent

The second most affordable suburb in Ann Arbor is Romulus. A 23 mile drive away from downtown Ann Arbor, you can explore the area in no time. Some popular things to do in Romulus include checking out one of the local parks in town or exploring the charming downtown.

#3: South Lyon

Median home price: $226,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $131 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 19 miles
South Lyon, MI homes for sale 
South Lyon, MI apartments for rent

Drive just 19 miles away from Ann Arbor and you’ll reach South Lyon, another great suburb. Even with a population of about 11,700, there are plenty of cool things to check out in South Lyon. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to explore the charming downtown area, visit the Witches Hat Depot Museum, and check out McHattie Park. 

#4: Tecumseh

Median home price: $238,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $181 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,115 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 27 miles
Tecumseh, MI homes for sale 
Tecumseh, MI apartments for rent 

Only slightly more expensive than South Lyon is Tecumseh, the next suburb on our list. With a population close to 8,700, there is still plenty to do in this Ann Arbor suburb. Plan to spend the day visiting Indian Crossing Trails Park which has plenty of trails, see a show at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, and explore downtown Tecumseh.

#5: Ypsilanti

Median home price: $242,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $187 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,166 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 11 miles
Ypsilanti, MI homes for sale 
Ypsilanti, MI apartments for rent 

Just 11 miles away from downtown Ann Arbor is Ypsilanti, another great suburb to consider moving to. Home to 20,600 residents, this affordable town can be an awesome choice for people looking to remain close to Ann Arbor without paying the price for a home in the city. In Ypsilanti, you can admire the historic Ypsilanti Water Tower, visit Riverside Park, explore the Eastern Michigan University campus, and wander through Depot Town, a historic district with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in vintage buildings.

#6: Brighton

Median home price: $260,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $214 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,812 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 19 miles
Brighton, MI homes for sale
Brighton, MI apartments for rent 

Another noteworthy Ann Arbor suburb is Brighton, where you’ll find the home prices are about $170K less than in Ann Arbor. With just about 7,400 people living in Brighton, it’s a great suburb to consider living in. Make sure to visit Brighton Lake, check out charming downtown Brighton, and camp at one of the nearby campgrounds – you’ll never tire of exploring this great suburb.

#7: Milan

Median home price: $285,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $206 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 16 miles
Milan, MI homes for sale
Milan, MI apartments for rent

Seventh on our list of affordable Ann Arbor suburbs is Milan, which is about a 16 mile drive into the city center. With a population of close to 6,100, living in Milan is a great alternative to Ann Arbor’s hustle and bustle. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to check out parks like Milan Nature Park and Gump Lake Park or visit one of the local cafes.

#8: Saline

Median home price: $307,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $220 
Average rent for an apartment: $2,200 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 10 miles
Saline, MI homes for sale
Saline, MI apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in the Ann Arbor area for some time, chances are you know of our eighth suburb – Saline. About 8,900 people live in Saline, so you’ll have a fraction of Ann Arbor’s population while remaining only 10 minutes from the city. Once living in Saline, be sure to hike the Curtiss Trail at Curtiss Park, check out downtown Saline, or explore The Creature Conservancy just outside of town.

#9: Wixom

Median home price: $338,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $200 
Average rent for an apartment: $1,025 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 30 miles
Wixom, MI homes for sale
Wixom, MI apartments for rent

Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Ann Arbor in about 35 minutes, making Wixom a great place to rent or buy a home this year. Just about 17,200 people live in this suburb, but you’ll find lots of outdoor activities in Wixom. Fun activities to do in Wixom include visiting the Wixom Habitat, a park with beautiful greenery, walking the Farm Loop Trail, and grabbing a meal at one of the many local restaurants.

#10: Whitmore Lake

Median home price: $349,900 
Average sale price per square foot: $211 
Average rent for an apartment: $2,066 
Distance from Ann Arbor: 13 miles
Whitmore Lake, MI homes for sale 
Whitmore Lake, MI apartments for rent

Claiming the 10th spot on our list of affordable Ann Arbor suburbs is Whitmore Lake. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 15 minutes to drive into Ann Arbor. This suburb has a population of 7,500 and you can spend the day at Whitmore Lake where you can boat, grab a meal by the water, or enjoy the views. There’s always something to check out while living in this charming town.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Ann Arbor and under a 30-mile drive from downtown Ann Arbor. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

The post 10 Most Affordable Ann Arbor Suburbs to Live in 2024 appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.