What Is the Richest Neighborhood in Ann Arbor?

What Is the Richest Neighborhood in Ann Arbor?

People ask this question more than you’d think, usually out of plain curiosity rather than a shopping list. It’s a fair thing to wonder about, and the honest answer has a small twist in it, so let’s walk through it properly.

If you’re asking about the wealthiest community in the greater Ann Arbor area, the answer technically isn’t inside the city at all. It’s Barton Hills Village, a small, separate incorporated village tucked along the Huron River just northwest of town. It’s been its own municipality since 1973, with its own police and fire service, and it consistently ranks as the richest community in Michigan by household income. Median household income there has topped $220,000, most home sales run well above $1 million, and lots typically stretch two to three acres. It’s an easy mistake to call Barton Hills an Ann Arbor neighborhood, since it sits right next door and shares the same zip code feel, but it’s genuinely its own place with its own government.

Inside the actual city limits of Ann Arbor, the title goes to Ann Arbor Hills. This is the neighborhood southeast of downtown, known for winding, tree-lined streets and lots that often run a half-acre or more, set back behind mature trees. The homes range from 1920s traditional to midcentury modern to newer custom builds. Recent figures put the median home price there around $1.25 million, with most sales landing between $850,000 and $1.95 million. It’s zoned for some of the district’s strongest schools, including Huron High School, and it’s a short walk or bike ride from the Arb, Gallup Park, and Huron Hills Golf Course. That combination of space, schools, and easy access to the river is really what drives the price tag, not just square footage.

A few other Ann Arbor neighborhoods sit right behind it. Burns Park, just south of downtown, is known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, and a genuinely strong sense of community, with prices typically running from the mid $600,000s to $900,000 or more. The Old West Side carries similar historic charm at somewhat more approachable prices, generally $550,000 to $800,000, depending on how much a home has been updated. And out toward the river, neighborhoods like Barton Plateau and Huron River Heights have quietly become some of the highest median-sale areas in the city over the past year, with recent median sale prices near $830,000.

What’s worth noticing across all of these is the pattern. It’s rarely just about the size of the house. It’s the lot, the tree canopy, the walkability, the school zone, and how close a home sits to the river or to downtown. That combination is the real driver of value in Ann Arbor, more than square footage or a recent kitchen remodel. It’s a useful thing to keep in mind whether you’re comparing Ann Arbor neighborhoods against each other or comparing Ann Arbor to nearby communities like Ypsilanti, Belleville, or Van Buren Township, where you’ll often find similar character and a strong sense of place at a noticeably lower price point.

None of this is really about chasing the “richest” label. It’s more about understanding what actually shapes value in this market, so you can make a clear-eyed decision about where your money goes furthest for what matters to you. If you’re curious what a specific neighborhood or budget actually gets you right now, I’m happy to walk you through it.