This Town Is Officially the Most Expensive Place to Buy a Home in Michigan

If you've ever driven through a town in Michigan and suddenly felt like your checking account needed a boost, there's a good chance you were in Birmingham. According to a recent Wall Street Journal feature, Birmingham has become Michigan's most expensive housing market, with the city's 48009 ZIP code posting a median home listing price of $1.45 million.

RELATED: The 10 Fastest Growing ZIP Codes in Michigan for 2026

That's not a typo. That's a number that makes you wonder if Zillow will spontaneously ask if you're sure you're browsing in the right tax bracket.

Why Birmingham Home Prices Keep Climbing

A look at a residential neighborhood in Birmingham, Michigan.

Located about 25 miles north of Detroit, Birmingham has become the go-to place to call home for executives, professionals, athletes... anyone whose idea of a "starter home" that costs more than your entire neighborhood. According to WSJ, this city attracts affluent buyers with its walkable downtown, upscale restaurants, boutique shopping, and highly rated schools.

Get our free mobile app

Redfin also ranks Birmingham among Michigan's most expensive places to buy a home, alongside communities like Bloomfield Hills and Bingham Farms.

Why Some Real Estate Experts Disagree

An aerial view of the Lakeside community in Michigan.

Here's where things get interesting. The home heavyweights at HGTV previously named Lakeside as Michigan's most expensive neighborhood. Located on Lake Michigan, the tiny community is packed with vacation homes, historic cottages, and lakefront properties that would make a mortgage calculator file a complaint. It's even been referred to by those in the real estate industry as "The Hamptons of the Midwest."

RELATED: USA Today Says America's Best Lake Beach Is Right Here in Michigan

If you're looking for Michigan's most expensive overall town, Birmingham currently wears the crown. If you're looking for Michigan's most expensive neighborhood, Lakeside has a strong claim to the title. Either way, if you're house shopping there... are you hiring?