White Lake vs. Highland Township, Michigan — Which Is Better for You?

When comparing White Lake Charter Township and Highland Charter Township, the similarities are clear — but so are the subtle lifestyle differences. Both communities sit along the M-59 corridor in northwest Oakland County, both offer lakes, parks, rural charm, and suburban conveniences, and both attract people looking for a quieter lifestyle outside Metro Detroit. But depending on what you value most, one township may be a better fit for your daily life than the other.

Here’s the full breakdown to help you make an informed decision.

Geography & Population

Both communities are charter townships, meaning they operate with specific local governance structures that sit between a village and a city — which is very common throughout Michigan.

White Lake Charter Township

• Approximately 37.2 square miles
• 3.5 square miles of water
• Population around 32,000
• Known as a suburban–rural mix

Highland Charter Township

• Approximately 36.18 square miles
• 2 square miles of water
• Population around 21,000
• Known for a more rural, private feel

Even though the land size is similar, White Lake’s additional lake frontage and denser housing around waterways contribute to its higher population. Highland tends to have more homes on acreage, more open space, and a quieter residential layout.

Location & Commute

Both townships run parallel along M-59, but their access points differ.

White Lake

• More centrally located
• Residents often connect to M-5 through Commerce Township
• Strong east/west access via M-59

Highland

• Closer to US-23, making north/south travel easier
• Still relies heavily on M-59 for east/west travel

In terms of pure commute flexibility, White Lake offers quicker access to southern expressways, while Highland offers more direct northern connectivity.

City Feel & Atmosphere

Despite being neighbors, these communities offer noticeably different lifestyles.

White Lake Township

• Suburban–rural blend
• Homes wrapped around lake communities
• Recreational water activities everywhere (boats, jet skis, pontoons)
• More neighborhood-style living

Because so many homes have lake privileges or access to nearby waterways, residents commonly interact around shared lake activities, creating a naturally social environment.

Highland Charter Township

• More rural, private, and spaced out
• Homes often sit on larger parcels
• Lakes exist but tend to be less densely developed around the shorelines
• Quieter, more secluded living

Both share the busy M-59 corridor, and neither township has a traditional downtown. Instead, each offers a spread of businesses, restaurants, and retail along the commercial stretch.

Things to Do & Local Amenities

This topic is often where opinions are strongest, especially for locals who drive this corridor daily.

White Lake Township – More Commercial Amenities

Many Highland residents travel into White Lake for shopping and daily conveniences because it offers:

• Alpine Valley Ski Resort
• Multiple golf courses
• Proud Lake Recreation Area (just minutes away)
• A modernized Kroger Marketplace
• Hobby Lobby, JCPenney, Marshalls
• Walmart, Home Depot, JoAnn, Lowe’s
• White Lake Marketplace shopping hub

White Lake has become a central shopping point for many nearby communities.

Highland Charter Township – Local Eateries & Rural Attractions

Highland offers a more local, small-business-driven experience:

• Highland House
• Sparkies Kitchen & Bar
• D’s Café (local favorite breakfast spot)
• Rural trails, parks, and recreation
• Easy access to hiking, horseback riding, and nature preserves

Both townships host community events, seasonal activities, and recreation programming. While they may not have downtowns, they do put effort into resident engagement through outdoor spaces and community calendars.

Credit: https://www.highlandtwp.net/

Lifestyle & “Feel” of M-59

If you’re familiar with the area, you know M-59 is the main artery connecting everything.

Residents often debate which side of M-59 is “better,” but preferences vary.

• White Lake’s side tends to have higher convenience value and more shopping
• Highland’s side offers smaller eateries, a quieter feel, and fewer commercial clusters

Ultimately, both serve different lifestyles — not better or worse, just distinct.

Home Prices & Real Estate

Here’s the high-level comparison based on multi-year MLS trends:

• Highland: Slightly higher average sale price, with year-over-year increases around 5–6%
• White Lake: Recently showed stronger appreciation (around 10% YoY), largely due to significant home updates, renovations, and high demand for lake properties

Current listings across both communities range from:

• Fixer-upper waterfront homes in the $300s
• To luxury lakefront estates between $1M–$1.75M+

In both townships, lake proximity, acreage, condition, and updates determine price far more than township boundaries.

School District Coverage

Both townships are unique because school boundaries overlap several districts.

White Lake School Districts

White Lake is served by:

• Clarkston Community Schools
• Holly Area Schools
• Huron Valley Schools
• Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
• Waterford School District

Highland School Districts

Highland is primarily served by:

• Huron Valley Schools, which also covers parts of Commerce, Milford, and White Lake

Districts vary in size and offerings, and families typically choose based on specific needs, proximity, and available programs.

Which Township Is Better?

The truth: neither is objectively better — it depends entirely on your lifestyle priorities.

Choose White Lake if you prefer:

• More suburban convenience
• Closer access to M-5 and major shopping
• Being surrounded by more lakes and water recreation
• A slightly more social, lake-community feel

Choose Highland if you prefer:

• A quieter, more rural lifestyle
• Homes with larger lots and more privacy
• Immediate access to nature preserves and open space
• Lower population density and more seclusion

Because the communities border one another, most residents regularly use amenities in both — making the decision less about “which is best” and more about what environment you want to come home to.

FAQ About White Lake and Highland Township

Are White Lake and Highland good places to live?

Both communities offer lake access, parks, trails, shopping, and a quieter lifestyle than more urban areas. Which is better depends on your personal preferences for space, convenience, privacy, and commute patterns.

Is there a downtown in White Lake or Highland?

Neither township has a traditional downtown. Most businesses and restaurants are located along the M-59 corridor.

Which township feels more rural?

Highland Township typically offers more acreage, more open land, and quieter streets.

Which township has more shopping and conveniences?

White Lake offers more concentrated retail and commercial options along M-59.

Do both areas have lakes?

Yes. White Lake has more lakefront density, while Highland’s lake areas are more spread out and less heavily built up.

Are home prices similar?

Prices vary significantly based on lake access, updates, acreage, and size. Both communities offer options from modest cottages to million-dollar waterfront estates.

What school districts serve these areas?

White Lake is split among multiple districts; Highland is primarily served by Huron Valley Schools.

How is the commute from each township?

White Lake offers faster access to M-5 and southbound expressways. Highland offers quicker access to US-23 for north/south travel.

Final Thoughts

White Lake and Highland are remarkably similar — peaceful, naturally beautiful, lake-oriented, and conveniently located. The choice ultimately comes down to lifestyle. Do you want more space and quiet? Highland may fit better. Do you want stronger commercial convenience and more lake activity? White Lake may make more sense.

If you’d like help narrowing down which community best matches your lifestyle, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to be your Michigan resource.