Bet You’ve Never Even Heard of ‘Michigan’s Most Livable City’

What do you think about when you hear the word "livability"?

Things like affordable housing, safety, and access to good schools and parks may come to mind. Maybe walkability? Maybe fun things to do?

SEE ALSO: These Are the 25 Most Dangerous Small Cities in Michigan

A "livable" city should feel welcoming and be easy to get around. It should have a strong sense of community.

But in Michigan - where cities like Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids get a lot of attention - you might not expect a tiny, lesser-known town to top a list of the state's most livable cities.

The Small Michigan City You've Probably Never Heard Of

Surprisingly, a recent study published by Yahoo! Finance named Clawson as the most livable city in Michigan.

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Tucked between Troy and Royal Oak, the Detroit suburb of Clawson is just 2.2 square miles and home to about 12,000 people. It has quiet neighborhoods, locally owned shops, and a friendly small-town feel. Despite its size, it has a busy community calendar, hosting events like the Clawson Fourth of July Festival and a popular downtown food scene.

Michigan's Most Livable City

Clawson beat out larger, more well-known places thanks to affordable homes, low crime rates, and a walkable downtown. Residents love that they get the benefits of a close-knit town while still being near Detroit's big-city opportunities.

According to Yahoo! Finance, the median income in Clawson is more than $82,000. Pair that with average mortgages around $1,700, and a monthly cost of living of roughly double that. The math works out to being a pretty livable city.

While Clawson may not be a household name, it just might be Michigan's best-kept secret!