Living in Southfield, MI
Southfield is the 508th-largest city in the US, home to about 76,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 76,111-0.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $236,2003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,340/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $68,166median, per year
- Price level
- 100.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 32° / 84°lows 19° / 64°
- Average commute
- 24 min17% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.25%top rate, flat
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County: Oakland County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 682 ft
Metro area: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Cost of living in Southfield
The median home in Southfield is worth $236,200 and the median household earns $68,166 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,340 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area at 100.3, with housing at 94.7 and goods at 98.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,200 here. Michigan taxes wages at a top rate of 4.25% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Michigan is 6%.
What would my salary be worth in Southfield?
Southfield weather
Average highs run from 32°F in January to 84°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 34 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 45 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 120 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Southfield
People and work
The median resident is 42.3 years old, and 41% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 53% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 17% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 42.3503rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 41%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 53%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,89826.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 10.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1969median year
Who moves to Southfield, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Chicago (Cook County), Grand Rapids (Kent County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Chicago (Cook County), Grand Rapids (Kent County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Oakland County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, strong wind, ice storm, cold wave.
Home prices
+4.4% in a year
Up 40% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
36% good days
16 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Southfield
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Comerica Park 14 miles
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 30 miles
- Wayne State University 12 miles
- Oakland Community College 10 miles
- Oakland University 12 miles
- Macomb Community College 13 miles
- Eastern Michigan University 27 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Southfield
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport DTW | 21 mi | 16,110,696 |
| Bishop International Airport FNT | 42 mi | 285,088 |
| Toledo Express Airport TOL | 70 mi | 66,614 |
| Capital Region International Airport LAN | 72 mi | 123,608 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Southfield
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne State University | 12 mi | 15,587 | $11,212 | 60% |
| Macomb Community College | 13 mi | 13,876 | n/a | 16% |
| Oakland Community College | 10 mi | 12,748 | $5,190 | 21% |
| Oakland University | 12 mi | 12,351 | $11,815 | 58% |
| Schoolcraft Community College District | 12 mi | 7,511 | $9,329 | n/a |
| Wayne County Community College District | 14 mi | 7,423 | $5,268 | 24% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Southfield
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 20, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 15 and the first frost comes around October 27.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Detroit Metro Airport, MI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Southfield.
Wildfire smoke in Southfield
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Southfield on about 123 days a year, including about 36 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Southfield
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 34,860 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Southfield
Downtown Southfield is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southfield Public School District | Pre-K to 12 | 4,491 | 11 | 15.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Detroit Public Schools Community District (48,828 students), Utica Community Schools (25,297 students), Dearborn City School District (19,262 students), Rochester Community School District (14,868 students), Livonia Public Schools (13,076 students), Warren Consolidated Schools (12,564 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Southfield's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Southfield's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Albany, NY83% matchCompare
- New Britain, CT80% matchCompare
- Hartford, CT80% matchCompare
- Joliet, IL79% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Southfield
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Southfield
- Mount Brighton 30 miles
- Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort 120 miles
- Alpine Valley Ski Area 121 miles
- Timber Ridge Ski Area 131 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Southfield
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 45 inches a year.
Southfield report card from locals
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Southfield through locals' eyes
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Cities near Southfield
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy, MI | 7 mi | 88,733 | $420,300 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Farmington Hills, MI | 8 mi | 83,291 | $354,500 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Warren, MI | 10 mi | 137,138 | $193,400 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Sterling Heights, MI | 11 mi | 133,931 | $274,300 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Livonia, MI | 11 mi | 92,603 | $281,100 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Rochester Hills, MI | 12 mi | 77,539 | $409,800 | 100.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Southfield ranks 41st of 52 in our best suburbs of Detroit ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Southfield with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Southfield a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Southfield side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Southfield?
The Census Bureau estimates Southfield had 76,111 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 76,607 in April 2020 (-0.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Southfield?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,200 in the Southfield area. The median household here earns $68,166.
When is the best time to visit Southfield?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 84°F and January 32°F for daytime highs.
What county is Southfield in?
Southfield is in Oakland County, Michigan. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Southfield in?
Southfield is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Southfield?
About 682 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Michigan have a state income tax?
Yes. Michigan has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.25% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Southfield. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Detroit Metro Airport, MI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.