Relocation guide · 2026

Moving to Brighton, MI: what to know in 2026

Home prices, schools, commute times, taxes and neighborhoods in Brighton, Michigan, from a team that sells homes here every week.

~$424KMedian sale price, Brighton area, Q2 2026 (local MLS)
100.8%Average sale-to-list price, mid-2026
2.2 moMonths of housing supply. Under 4 favors sellers.
+1.6%Zillow typical home value, year over year (~$407K)

Figures cover the Brighton area, which includes surrounding townships. Updated quarterly.

Schools

Brighton, MI schools

Brighton Area Schools has an overall A on Niche and ranks #22 of Michigan's districts for 2026.

TypeSchoolsNotes
High schoolBrighton High SchoolAbout 1,887 students, grades 9–12. Niche grade A.
MiddleScranton Middle, Maltby MiddleBrighton Area Schools
ElementaryFour elementary schoolsBrighton Area Schools
PrivateSt. Patrick Catholic, Livingston Christian, Holy Spirit Academy, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran, CornerstoneFaith-based options in town
CharterCharyl Stockwell AcademyMiddle and high school

Some homes with a Brighton mailing address are in Hartland, Pinckney, Howell or South Lyon districts. Always confirm by exact address.

Getting around

Commute times from Brighton

US 23

Ann Arbor

South on US-23
~25 min17–20 mi
I-96

Novi

East on I-96
~20 min~20 mi
US 23

Flint

North on US-23
~40 min36 mi
I-96

Downtown Detroit

East on I-96
~50 min43 mi
I-96

Lansing

West on I-96
~50 min47 mi

Off-peak estimates. Weekday rush hour on US-23 toward Ann Arbor can add 10–25 minutes.

Taxes

Property taxes in Brighton, MI

Your tax bill depends on whether the home is in the City of Brighton or one of the surrounding townships, the school district, and whether it's your primary residence.

City of Brighton

  • City operating millage: about 17.7 mills (2024–25 budget), before county, school and other levies
  • Voters renewed a 2.5-mill street millage for 2026–2035
  • Michigan resets a home's taxable value the year after it sells, so the seller's bill isn't yours
The honest version

Pros and cons of living in Brighton, MI

Why people choose Brighton

  • A real downtown built around the Mill Pond
  • I-96 and US-23 meet here, so four directions are easy
  • A-rated school district
  • Lakes, a ski hill and 10,000+ acres of parkland within 15 minutes
  • Downtown, subdivision, acreage and lake homes in one market

What to know first

  • US-23 traffic toward Ann Arbor at rush hour
  • Car-dependent outside the downtown core
  • City vs. township address changes taxes and services
  • Homes sell fast, often above list, with only about 2 months of supply
  • Lakefront carries a real premium, and lake rules vary
FAQ

Moving to Brighton FAQ

What is the median home price in Brighton, MI?

About $424,000 for Q2 2026, based on local MLS sales. Zillow puts the typical home value near $407,000, up 1.6% from a year earlier. Homes are selling for about 100.8% of list price.

Are Brighton, MI schools good?

Brighton Area Schools earns an overall A on Niche and ranks #22 among Michigan school districts for 2026. Brighton High School also earns an A.

What is the population of Brighton, Michigan?

The City of Brighton had 7,446 residents in the 2020 Census. The wider Brighton Area Schools district, which includes the surrounding townships, has about 39,000 residents.

What's the difference between the City of Brighton and Brighton Township?

The City of Brighton is a 3.7-square-mile city around downtown and the Mill Pond. Brighton Township surrounds it. Many "Brighton, MI" addresses sit in Brighton, Genoa, Green Oak or Hamburg Township, each with different taxes, zoning and services.