There are all types when it comes to being a snob in Michigan. You’ve got your Wine Snobs, Book Snobs, and, of course, Clothes Snobs. Then there are the Technology Snobs, Car Snobs, and yes, even City Snobsas in, I’m better than you because I live in (insert snooty city here).
How can we tell which Michigan cities are the snobbiest? By measuring snobby things, that’s how.
We used Saturday Night Science to look at things like expensive homes, high incomes, and overly educated populations by city in Michigan. These are the criteria you’d argue with a friend over a foodie dinner about who’s snobbier.
After analyzing 151 of the state’s most populous areas over 5,000 people, we came up with this ranking of the ten snobbiest places in the state of Michigan.
The Michigander in these places aren’t snobby, they just know they’re better than you.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Snobbiest Places In Michigan
Don’t freak out.
What’s the snobbiest place in Michigan? The snobbiest place in Michigan is East Grand Rapids based on the data. If we had their wealth and lifestyle, we’d probably be a little snobby, too.
The most laid back? That would be River Rouge.
We’re not so full of ourselves as to make this ranking up from nowhere. So here’s a look at the top ten and more on how we did it. And if you’re curious, Michigan is the 34th snobbiest in the United States.
For more Michigan reading, check out:
The 10 Snobbiest Places In Michigan For 2024
/10
% Highly Educated: 81.0%
Median Income: $160,417
Median Home Price: $572,507
More on East Grand Rapids: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 82.0%
Median Income: $184,815
Median Home Price: $459,699
More on Huntington Woods: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 78.0%
Median Income: $151,556
Median Home Price: $600,237
More on Birmingham: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 77.0%
Median Income: $162,364
Median Home Price: $498,630
More on Beverly Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 78.0%
Median Income: $156,465
Median Home Price: $446,876
More on Grosse Pointe Farms: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 68.0%
Median Income: $134,330
Median Home Price: $514,916
More on Northville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 71.0%
Median Income: $128,333
Median Home Price: $451,199
More on Grosse Pointe Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 74.0%
Median Income: $136,094
Median Home Price: $421,780
More on Grosse Pointe: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 68.0%
Median Income: $102,838
Median Home Price: $428,006
More on Rochester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
% Highly Educated: 62.0%
Median Income: $110,588
Median Home Price: $425,204
More on Novi: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How we determined the snobbiest cities in the Wolverine State
Do you think wed just come up with this list willy-nilly? Not a chance – we only use Saturday Night Science around here.
We gathered up all of the places in Michigan with populations of 5,000 people or more. This left us with a total of 151 places. Then, we looked at each place in terms of these snoot-er-iffic criteria (And no, its not a word. English snob.):
- Median home price (Higher is snobbier)
- Median household income (Higher is snobbier)
- Percent of population with a college degree (Higher is snobbier)
Incomes and college education levels come from the American Community Survey. Home prices come from Zillow.
Turned out this simple criteria was much better at sniffing out the snobby places then more snobby criteria like:
- Libaries per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Museums per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Private schools per capita (Higher is snobbier)
From there, we ranked each of our 151 places in each category with scores from one to 151. We then averaged each places ranking into one overall score, where the lowest score went to the snobbiest place in Michigan. So lets all flip a table in honor of East Grand Rapids (with our pinkies up, of course.)
Before you get upset and ruin your blowout or something drastic here, lets remember that this is all in good fun. Would we live in one of these 10 places if we had the chance? Of course, we would.
And it’s not like your real estate agent would ever point out how snobby the town you’re moving to is. We’re here to keep you grounded, even if you’re wearing a monocle.
There You Have It – Now That You’re On Your High Horse
When it comes to snobbery, these places in Michigan are heading ever upward. Residents in these communities are well educated, well paid, and appear to have all the sophisticated culture and entertainment of an Ernst Lubitsch film right at their fingertips.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The snobbiest cities in Michigan are East Grand Rapids, Huntington Woods, Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Grosse Pointe Farms, Northville, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, Rochester, and Novi.
If you’re also curious enough, here are the most laid back places in Michigan, according to science:
- River Rouge
- Muskegon Heights
- Benton Harbor
For more Michigan reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Michigan
- Cheapest Places To Live In Michigan
- Most Dangerous Places in Michigan
- Richest Cities In Michigan
- Safest Places In Michigan
- Worst Places To Live In Michigan
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Michigan
Table: The Snobbiest Cities In Michigan For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Adult Highly Educated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Grand Rapids, MI | 11,385 | $160,417 | $572,507 | 81.0% |
| 2 | Huntington Woods, MI | 6,365 | $184,815 | $459,699 | 82.0% |
| 3 | Birmingham, MI | 21,738 | $151,556 | $600,237 | 78.0% |
| 4 | Beverly Hills, MI | 10,550 | $162,364 | $498,630 | 77.0% |
| 5 | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | 10,018 | $156,465 | $446,876 | 78.0% |
| 6 | Northville, MI | 6,088 | $134,330 | $514,916 | 68.0% |
| 7 | Grosse Pointe Park, MI | 11,513 | $128,333 | $451,199 | 71.0% |
| 8 | Grosse Pointe, MI | 5,621 | $136,094 | $421,780 | 74.0% |
| 9 | Rochester, MI | 12,978 | $102,838 | $428,006 | 68.0% |
| 10 | Novi, MI | 65,870 | $110,588 | $425,204 | 62.0% |
| 11 | Ann Arbor, MI | 122,216 | $78,546 | $479,804 | 77.0% |
| 12 | Plymouth, MI | 9,300 | $107,156 | $417,416 | 63.0% |
| 13 | Troy, MI | 87,170 | $115,639 | $398,962 | 62.0% |
| 14 | Rochester Hills, MI | 76,041 | $115,968 | $414,974 | 60.0% |
| 15 | Grosse Pointe Woods, MI | 16,338 | $125,712 | $315,509 | 65.0% |
| 16 | Saline, MI | 8,973 | $88,388 | $423,142 | 58.0% |
| 17 | Milford, MI | 6,483 | $98,054 | $425,893 | 47.0% |
| 18 | Farmington Hills, MI | 83,562 | $101,728 | $348,161 | 57.0% |
| 19 | Rockford, MI | 6,144 | $100,380 | $386,671 | 47.0% |
| 20 | Royal Oak, MI | 58,053 | $92,799 | $302,682 | 61.0% |
| 21 | South Lyon, MI | 11,788 | $82,753 | $434,616 | 44.0% |
| 22 | Berkley, MI | 15,150 | $108,125 | $285,101 | 58.0% |
| 23 | Farmington, MI | 11,486 | $92,128 | $290,249 | 61.0% |
| 24 | Brighton, MI | 7,486 | $74,022 | $396,691 | 49.0% |
| 25 | St. Joseph, MI | 7,852 | $79,103 | $300,114 | 51.0% |
| 26 | Wixom, MI | 17,007 | $72,896 | $348,240 | 52.0% |
| 27 | Petoskey, MI | 5,859 | $69,784 | $393,626 | 51.0% |
| 28 | Frankenmuth, MI | 5,064 | $80,956 | $296,452 | 46.0% |
| 29 | Hudsonville, MI | 7,633 | $86,000 | $367,928 | 34.0% |
| 30 | Chelsea, MI | 5,440 | $71,379 | $364,698 | 49.0% |
| 31 | Livonia, MI | 94,928 | $92,458 | $278,535 | 40.0% |
| 32 | Grandville, MI | 16,017 | $76,344 | $332,792 | 37.0% |
| 33 | Ferndale, MI | 19,264 | $86,120 | $236,307 | 53.0% |
| 34 | Portage, MI | 48,936 | $74,837 | $271,509 | 48.0% |
| 35 | Fenton, MI | 11,967 | $76,195 | $330,634 | 33.0% |
| 36 | New Baltimore, MI | 12,104 | $90,028 | $325,237 | 28.0% |
| 37 | Clawson, MI | 11,388 | $82,713 | $261,691 | 43.0% |
| 38 | Auburn Hills, MI | 24,593 | $77,724 | $245,506 | 48.0% |
| 39 | Walker, MI | 25,175 | $72,020 | $311,743 | 34.0% |
| 40 | Milan, MI | 6,153 | $89,600 | $251,182 | 33.0% |
| 41 | Sterling Heights, MI | 133,744 | $75,381 | $278,499 | 32.0% |
| 42 | Mason, MI | 8,284 | $75,000 | $247,725 | 37.0% |
| 43 | Holland, MI | 34,186 | $69,152 | $321,850 | 33.0% |
| 44 | Kentwood, MI | 54,042 | $66,945 | $293,250 | 36.0% |
| 45 | Grand Blanc, MI | 8,034 | $70,518 | $262,470 | 40.0% |
| 46 | Grand Ledge, MI | 7,795 | $71,179 | $272,097 | 34.0% |
| 47 | Marshall, MI | 6,806 | $72,813 | $220,197 | 44.0% |
| 48 | Norton Shores, MI | 24,984 | $72,699 | $257,972 | 32.0% |
| 49 | Dundee, MI | 5,408 | $73,641 | $261,298 | 29.0% |
| 50 | Midland, MI | 42,404 | $71,809 | $215,605 | 45.0% |
| 51 | Grand Haven, MI | 10,961 | $57,650 | $342,638 | 35.0% |
| 52 | St. Clair, MI | 5,496 | $71,771 | $283,763 | 26.0% |
| 53 | Grand Rapids, MI | 198,096 | $61,634 | $262,762 | 39.0% |
| 54 | Flushing, MI | 8,349 | $75,813 | $216,845 | 30.0% |
| 55 | Southfield, MI | 76,107 | $63,980 | $234,297 | 39.0% |
| 56 | Zeeland, MI | 5,701 | $60,505 | $336,250 | 27.0% |
| 57 | Marquette, MI | 20,673 | $51,599 | $288,904 | 45.0% |
| 58 | Woodhaven, MI | 12,867 | $77,725 | $242,087 | 24.0% |
| 59 | Howell, MI | 10,067 | $53,953 | $348,579 | 30.0% |
| 60 | East Lansing, MI | 45,403 | $44,094 | $269,481 | 67.0% |
| 61 | Trenton, MI | 18,420 | $74,267 | $215,391 | 27.0% |
| 62 | Walled Lake, MI | 7,262 | $65,031 | $229,099 | 30.0% |
| 63 | Dearborn, MI | 108,414 | $64,600 | $213,451 | 34.0% |
| 64 | Ypsilanti, MI | 20,204 | $41,914 | $309,294 | 44.0% |
| 65 | St. Clair Shores, MI | 58,656 | $71,481 | $211,168 | 29.0% |
| 66 | Oak Park, MI | 29,495 | $61,991 | $212,139 | 39.0% |
| 67 | Richmond, MI | 5,852 | $64,154 | $276,790 | 22.0% |
| 68 | Wyoming, MI | 76,732 | $67,234 | $245,215 | 24.0% |
| 69 | New Haven, MI | 6,200 | $63,424 | $280,596 | 22.0% |
| 70 | Allen Park, MI | 28,395 | $73,792 | $190,218 | 28.0% |
| 71 | Tecumseh, MI | 8,678 | $65,638 | $228,128 | 25.0% |
| 72 | Marysville, MI | 9,973 | $67,548 | $212,826 | 27.0% |
| 73 | Madison Heights, MI | 28,521 | $63,224 | $203,911 | 32.0% |
| 74 | Riverview, MI | 12,390 | $69,323 | $219,074 | 24.0% |
| 75 | Holly, MI | 5,997 | $58,957 | $286,258 | 22.0% |
| 76 | St. Johns, MI | 7,711 | $60,991 | $245,248 | 24.0% |
| 77 | Swartz Creek, MI | 5,865 | $70,210 | $218,680 | 21.0% |
| 78 | Ludington, MI | 7,691 | $49,503 | $263,304 | 28.0% |
| 79 | Utica, MI | 5,195 | $52,247 | $247,172 | 27.0% |
| 80 | Flat Rock, MI | 10,448 | $65,374 | $237,743 | 19.0% |
| 81 | Kalamazoo, MI | 73,342 | $48,649 | $219,925 | 37.0% |
| 82 | Houghton, MI | 8,303 | $29,821 | $209,785 | 63.0% |
| 83 | Manistee, MI | 6,248 | $57,813 | $227,978 | 23.0% |
| 84 | Fraser, MI | 14,668 | $61,039 | $217,570 | 21.0% |
| 85 | Charlotte, MI | 9,273 | $65,507 | $217,499 | 17.0% |
| 86 | Davison, MI | 5,114 | $48,750 | $231,702 | 26.0% |
| 87 | Mount Pleasant, MI | 21,826 | $41,512 | $192,895 | 45.0% |
| 88 | Eaton Rapids, MI | 5,201 | $62,708 | $231,272 | 15.0% |
| 89 | Westland, MI | 84,806 | $59,930 | $194,197 | 22.0% |
| 90 | Dearborn Heights, MI | 62,474 | $58,335 | $186,873 | 25.0% |
| 91 | Wyandotte, MI | 24,857 | $62,111 | $174,297 | 21.0% |
| 92 | Warren, MI | 138,588 | $61,633 | $187,656 | 20.0% |
| 93 | Southgate, MI | 29,948 | $62,792 | $175,318 | 20.0% |
| 94 | Hastings, MI | 7,504 | $54,118 | $198,616 | 23.0% |
| 95 | Harper Woods, MI | 15,296 | $60,030 | $146,667 | 26.0% |
| 96 | Monroe, MI | 20,400 | $57,779 | $200,178 | 19.0% |
| 97 | Romulus, MI | 25,055 | $63,854 | $179,648 | 16.0% |
| 98 | Hazel Park, MI | 15,065 | $59,576 | $154,739 | 23.0% |
| 99 | Big Rapids, MI | 7,915 | $36,058 | $191,904 | 30.0% |
| 100 | Lapeer, MI | 9,034 | $50,510 | $246,318 | 14.0% |
So what happened to Bloomfield hills and Birmingham? With medium home price of only 119k…can’t believe that makes Northville the snobbist place in Michigan…I grew up there now live in Arizona and you can nearly buy a shack for 119k
CTRL-F, type “Birmingham.”
Result: 0 of 0 instances in this story.
Same goes for “Bloomfield Hills.”
If you need proof this article is a failure, there you go. Each is far more pretentious than something like Rochester.
Clearly you know nothing about Michigan, let alone, Northville or the Metropolitan Detroit suburbs. The fact that Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe are not on this list shows the data is flawed…just ask those snobs….I’m sure they are not happy about not “making” this list.
How on God’s green earth is Birmingham not on this list? Now THAT is a snobby town.
This entire article shows the problem in our country. Not only has the author judged entire towns, but also said towns people based solely off money. I’ve met rich snobs, poor snobs, and middle class snobs. Money does not define how people act. This character of the individual person does. I have spent many a weekend in Traverse City for soccer tournaments, and every person I have encountered there was kind and helpful. So, as a note to the author, how about you climb out from behind your computer, stretch your legs, and go visit the beautiful towns you have so ridiculously judged based on their demographics? I believe that your tune will change. Don’t judge the world without emersing yourself in its culture, for it will make you hard and cold.
Well said!
Settle down everyone. Geez! He clearly stated “it’s all in good fun” in the beginning of the article…get a sense of humor or at least read the whole article!
“It’s all in good fun” should have been changed to “This article is a bunch a nonsense, so you shouldn’t waste your time reading it”.
If all it takes to justify publishing stupid, misleading, and laughingly inaccurate articles in the hedge language of “it’s all in good fun” then every article should start of that way (as well as every political speech).
The author of this article doesn’t realize the difference between a private school (think Cranbrook or Detroit Country Day) and a parochial school (Brother Rice, St. Anything, etc.) Huge HUGE difference between the two types of school.
Definitely flawed, Grosse Pointe, Bloomfield, Lake Orion, nothing is on list, not even in the raw data. Consider even wikipedia for the small cities like Orchard Lake Village – they sore on these benchmarks, but have no mention in the table. Lathrup Village actually has the highest household income, I believe. Far more than Taylor. I wonder if the author is disqualifying cities that don’t have Art Galleries, Theaters, etc. It’s possible that Bloomfield and Grosse Pointe doesn’t have some of the stuff. I do think Birmingham has it all. Private schools as well.
I live in Saline and read this list while eating left over steak from Chop House and deciding what size sterling silver cup to purchase for my 2 year old
This survey is definitely flawed. Birmingham wasn’t on the list. None of the five Grosse Pointed were on the list.
Where are some of the major cities in the data set? Is something else missing in what is listed as the criteria for excluding cities like Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, etc…? This seems either majorly flawed or biased. Also the median income you have listed for Northville in the article doesn’t match the data set. Is the survey you pulled the data from incomplete?
Birmingham and Grosse Pointe are the top two. These people know nothing.
LMAO. Notice a pattern here? People are not complaing about being on this list, but rather are complaining about being LEFT OFF this list. How telling! YOU ARE THE TRUE SNOBS!
I love living in Northville. Our home cost us less than $150K for 4 beds and 2 baths in a great neighborhood close to downtown. This article didn’t mention that the things we enjoy, like theaters and art houses rely on donations and volunteers. We just happen to take pride in our community. That’s not snobbery.
As expected, we are #1 in yet another category. Suck it, Rochester.
Not so fast Northville. All we have to do is light up another 2 blocks in either direction downtown for Xmas and BAM, we win next year. Environmental impact, environmental shmimpact, we’re gonna do it anyway. Northville, we’ll get you my pretties, and your little dogs too!!!!
Be careful, Wicked Witch of the Northeast Suburbs, or we will purchase more Flying Monkeys (Capuchin, of course, because they’re so CUTE), dress them in the best Victorian-era clothing money can buy (from Victorian’s Secret, where else), and have them drop 590 Dubuar St. (http://goo.gl/ZSzllm) on you in order to preserve our top ranking! #abovethelaw #winatallcosts #monkeys
We were just about to take your threat seriously until you added the hashtags. #sooooyesterday. In any case, thanks for the heads up on the Victorian-era clothing from Victoria’s Secret! We plan to purchase several for our daughter’s pre, pre-engagement gala at the Royal Park.
BTW, we have TWO Victoria’s Secrets up here. How many for you? #snicker
Sorry for the delay, I was meeting with community leaders over triple nonfat mocha carmaletto delight latte chai Frappucino ™ at Starbucks to set up the new Highbrow Committee, the charter of which is to increase our Snob Index to a point that has never been seen before. We will enjoy watching you disappear in the rear-view mirrors of our Benzes as we drive off with the #1 ranking in 2016!
ps. #1 is not a hashtag.
Aside from the lame research and results, thus article was only published to rile people and get comments. More importantly, I am tired of hearing that parks, arts, theaters, libraries, community events are the basis of snobbery instead of offering a community things to do. As an above commenter similarly noted, country clubs, 3rd generation wealth and exclusivity are what contribute to snobbery. The evidence and order of your “results” are not accurate or sociologically sound.
Snobbiest? Or most educated? According to your research, that is what this article is based on. I was not aware that being educated, and in turn earning more, equated to snobby.
This article is looking for nothing more than clicks.
I feel sorry for this kid. He thinks he is a good journalist. Definitely a poor statistician.
Does the author work for Thrillist? They do the same bullsh*t. Take data from places they’ve never been to, make up lists, and then pretend to actually know what they’re talking about- and they almost NEVER do.
Chris Kolmar should work for the National Enquirer.
Grand Blanc
(drops mic)
Not sure I’d agree all of these places are snobby just because they are economically and educationally healthy. I do think all of these places are boring in the diversity sense (they are very white waspy), and would do well to become more diverse socially, racially and ethnically. I wish them well. They’re smart enough to figure it out.
Is “snobbishness” a direct result of higher education, well maintained homes, and the arts?
I think the most snobbiest place is Escanaba or Manistee by a landslide.