Royal Oak 82 Exceptional
Royal Oak Livability #52 ranked city in Michigan#1,128 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Royal Oak

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons to mention for this area, as all of the categories were rated above average.

What's it like Living in Royal Oak?

Royal Oak is a mid-sized city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 61,485 people. In Royal Oak, there are 5,214 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (88% White). Given that fact, Royal Oak could be considered less diverse than other cities. In Royal Oak, only 48% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Royal Oak, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 25 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Royal Oak is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in Michigan, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Royal Oak and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

Royal Oak has a livability score of 82 out of 100 and is ranked #47 in Michigan and #958 in the USA. Clearly, Royal Oak is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Royal Oak also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Royal Oak ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B+), education (B+) and employment (A+).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Royal Oak gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 124 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Royal Oak has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Royal Oak apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Royal Oak. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Royal Oak are affordable. The median home price for Royal Oak homes is $414,164, which is 75.6% higher than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Royal Oak, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 6.2% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Royal Oak

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Royal Oak?

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      Royal Oak transportation information

      Statistic Royal Oak Michigan National
      Average one way commute25min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.7%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.8%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home9.1%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Royal Oak, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.