Brighton Michigan Vs. Howell Michigan Vs. Milford Michigan - All these southeast Michigan cities are great to live in, BUT which one is BETTER? Well, In this video, I am going to breakdown the downtown areas, cost of homes, bring you on virtual home tours, show you things to do, annual events, chat about the school districts and share some good, average and bad reviews from REAL residents.

Brighton vs Howell vs Milford, Michigan: Which One Should You Call Home?

Trying to decide between Brighton, Howell, and Milford, Michigan? You’re not alone. These three southeast Michigan communities are always on the short list for people who want small-town charm, reasonable commutes, and access to lakes, parks, and year-round things to do.

Below is a fully optimized breakdown of how Brighton vs Howell vs Milford compare in terms of location, home prices, downtown vibe, lifestyle, things to do, and schools, plus an FAQ at the end to help people searching these areas online.

Location & Basics: Brighton vs Howell vs Milford

Before comparing lifestyle and housing, it helps to understand where each place sits and how big it is.

Brighton, Michigan

Brighton is hugely popular for its location. It sits right by I-96 and US-23, giving you easy 360-degree access north, south, east, and west. It’s essentially the hub between Pinckney, Howell, Milford, and South Lyon.

• City of Brighton: about 3.7 square miles, ~7,500 residents
• Brighton Township: about 34.6 square miles, ~19,000 residents

You get a mix of established neighborhoods, newer developments, and quick highway access in almost every direction.

Howell, Michigan

Howell is about 10 miles west of Brighton along I-96. It shares a great east–west commute, but doesn’t have the same instant access to US-23 for north–south travel.

• City of Howell: about 5.2 square miles, ~10,000 residents
• Howell Township: about 32 square miles, under ~7,200 residents

Because Howell Township has a similar land size to Brighton Township but far fewer people, the township tends to feel more rural and spread out.

Milford, Michigan

Milford sits between US-23, M-59, and I-96, but you’re not right on any of them. That means:

• You’ll usually add 15–20 minutes to your drive just to get to an expressway.
• In return, you get more of that tucked-away feel people love.
• Village/City of Milford: ~2.5 square miles, ~6,500 residents
• Milford Charter Township: ~35+ square miles, just under ~17,000 residents

Milford offers a blend of small-town charm in the village with more space and rural character in the township.

Home Prices & What You Get for Your Money

Prices will always shift with the market, but the relationship between these areas has been pretty consistent.

• City of Howell – typically the most affordable of the three
• Howell Township – a step up, more space and single-family homes
• City of Brighton – higher than Howell, especially near downtown and popular neighborhoods
• Brighton Township – noticeably higher, with more acreage and larger homes
• City of Milford – similar to Brighton city on average
• Milford Township – generally the highest average price in this group

In practice, here’s how that often plays out:

• In Brighton city, the average price range often gets you a townhouse or smaller single-family home with a garage and basement.
• In Brighton Township, similar budget levels can stretch to larger single-family homes on acreage.
• In Howell city, condos and smaller homes near downtown are typically more affordable than Brighton or Milford.
• Howell Township often offers older single-family homes on larger lots at prices that are still approachable compared to nearby townships.
• In Milford Township, buyers frequently pay a premium for newer homes, more land, and that hybrid rural/suburban feel.
• In Milford city, you’re often paying for the village charm + lot size, especially if you’re close to the walkable downtown or river.

Bottom line:

• Best stretch-your-dollar potential: typically Howell and Howell Township
• Mid-to-upper price tier: Brighton city & Milford city
• Most expensive on average: Brighton Township & Milford Township

Downtown Vibes: Brighton vs Howell vs Milford

All three downtowns are small, walkable, and very “Michigan”, but they do feel different.

Downtown Brighton

• Sits just off Grand River Avenue, which is a busy corridor.
• Main Street wraps around the Mill Pond, with boardwalks, bridges, the Imagination Station playground, an amphitheater, and plenty of local restaurants and shops.
• Feels more modernized than Howell, with newer storefronts and a steady stream of redevelopment.

Downtown Howell

• Built around Grand River Avenue and Michigan Avenue.
• Strong historic small-town feel with older architecture, local shops, and long-standing businesses.
• Downtown is compact, charming, and continues to be a focal point for community events.

Downtown Milford

• Often considered the most “storybook small town” of the three.
• Downtown Milford doesn’t sit on a four-lane highway the way Brighton/Howell do with Grand River.
• You get Huron River frontage, Central Park, an amphitheater, playground, and a very walkable downtown with restaurants and local shops.
• Surrounded by well-kept historic homes on side streets, which adds to the character.

If you’re ranking purely on quiet, cozy downtown feel, many people would put Milford first, Brighton second, Howell close behind, depending on personal taste.

Overall City Feel & Lifestyle

This is where the “vibe” of each place really shows.

Brighton: Small-Town Heart, Busy Edges

• Feels more built up and active, especially along Grand River and near major shopping corridors.
• Neighborhoods are closer together, with fewer large-acreage parcels compared to Howell Township and Milford Township.
• Still maintains a strong sense of community, but you’ll feel the growth and traffic more here than years past.

Howell: Rural-Edge Small Town

• More farm fields, acreage, and open space, especially once you’re outside the downtown core.
• Ideal if you want that “small town + extra elbow room” combination.
• Strong community events, but less of that constantly busy, built-out feel you get in parts of Brighton.

Milford: A Hybrid Between the Two

• Village of Milford feels similar to Brighton in terms of charm and walkability, just more low-key.
• Milford Township feels more like Howell with bigger lots, more space, and easier access to nature.
• Overall, Milford tends to feel like a small, intentionally preserved community that hasn’t lost its character as growth happens around it.

Things to Do in Brighton, Howell, and Milford

All three communities do a solid job with events and recreation.

Brighton Highlights

• Mount Brighton – skiing/snowboarding in winter
• Access to Island Lake Recreation Area and nearby parks and trails
• Seasonal events like food festivals, holiday celebrations, art/music events, car shows, and farmers markets
• Plenty of dining and coffee options wrapped around the Mill Pond

Howell Highlights

• Howell Nature Center
• Outlet shopping
• Historic theater and museums
• Golf courses and lake access nearby
• Well-known yearly events like melon and balloon festivals, holiday parades, and seasonal celebrations

Milford Highlights

• Milford Memories – one of the area’s most popular summer festivals
• Kensington Metropark and Camp Dearborn right nearby
• Huron River access for paddling and trails
• Concerts in the park, parades, and seasonal community events throughout the year

If you’re big on festivals, parks, and seasonal events, all three deliver—you’ll just want to decide if you prefer the busier corridors of Brighton/Howell or the slightly more tucked-away feel of Milford.

Schools & Education

School boundaries can get a little complex, but in very broad strokes:

• Brighton is served by Brighton Area Schools.
• Howell is served by Howell Public Schools.
• Milford is primarily served by Huron Valley Schools.

Independent school-rating sites consistently score all three districts in the “solid to strong” range overall, with Brighton often landing slightly higher in statewide rankings, and Huron Valley and Howell also performing well in many categories.

As always, for anyone relocating, it’s smart to:

• Review official district websites
• Verify exact attendance boundaries by address
• Look up the latest state and third-party ratings
• Visit schools or talk directly with the district if education is a top priority

So…Brighton vs Howell vs Milford: Which Is Best?

There’s no universal winner—only the best fit for your lifestyle.

• Choose Brighton if…
  You want easy highway access, a more active, built-up feel, quick access to shopping and dining, and you like being in the middle of everything while still having a true small-town core.

• Choose Howell if…
  You want more space, more acreage, and a slightly slower pace, but still want a historic downtown, community events, and reasonable access to I-96.

• Choose Milford if…
  You want a hybrid: a highly walkable small-town village, access to major parks and trails, a mix of suburban and rural living, and you don’t mind adding a little extra time to your commute to get that tucked-away feel.

FAQs: Brighton vs Howell vs Milford, Michigan

How far are Brighton, Howell, and Milford from each other?

Brighton and Howell are about 10 miles apart along I-96. Milford sits southeast of both and is roughly 15–25 minutes from Brighton or Howell by car, depending on the route and traffic.

Which area is the most affordable—Brighton, Howell, or Milford?

In general, Howell and Howell Township tend to have the most approachable average home prices, while Brighton city/Milford city sit in the middle, and Brighton Township and Milford Township often land on the higher end due to larger lots, newer homes, or premium locations.

Which town has the best downtown area?

All three offer walkable, well-kept downtowns, but many people gravitate toward Milford’s village for its river, park, and preserved small-town charm. Brighton is a close second for its Mill Pond setting and modernized storefronts, while Howell shines for its historic character.

Which location has the best commute options?

If commute time to major highways is your top priority, Brighton wins with immediate access to both I-96 and US-23. Howell has great east–west access via I-96, while Milford adds some drive time to reach nearby expressways.

Are these areas good for outdoor recreation?

Yes. All three offer easy access to lakes, trails, parks, and metroparks.

• Brighton connects to Island Lake and nearby recreation areas.
• Howell has nature centers, lakes, and outdoor events.
• Milford is extremely strong for outdoor lovers thanks to the Huron River, Kensington Metropark, Camp Dearborn, and local parks.

How do the schools compare between Brighton, Howell, and Milford?

All three districts—Brighton Area Schools, Howell Public Schools, and Huron Valley Schools—are generally well regarded. Brighton often ranks slightly higher in certain statewide metrics, but all three serve their communities with a wide mix of academics, clubs, and athletics. Always verify boundaries and current ratings before making a decision.

Which city feels the most rural?

• Howell Township and Milford Township feel more rural overall, with larger lots and more open space.
• Brighton Township also offers larger parcels but has more development around major corridors.
• The cities/villages themselves (Brighton, Howell, Milford) feel more like classic small towns.

Which area should I pick if I work in Metro Detroit or Ann Arbor?

If you’re regularly commuting to Metro Detroit or Ann Arbor, Brighton is often the most strategic choice because of its direct highway access to both I-96 and US-23. Milford and Howell can still work well, but you’ll want to factor in the extra drive time to and from expressways.