Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Royal Oak, MI

    Is Royal Oak a good place to live?

    Watch Royal Oak

    Royal Oak ranks #7 of 50 Michigan cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (67/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $305,900
    +5.6% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,335
    per month
    Household income
    $95,182
    median
    Unemployment
    3.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Royal Oak

    The median home value in Royal Oak is $305,900 and median rent is $1,335 a month, against a median household income of $95,182. Homes cost about 3.2× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Royal Oak crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Michigan the 2025 rate was 431 violent and 1,300 property crimes per 100,000 people — #28 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Royal Oak, MI

    Royal Oak has about 57,880 residents, 3.1% unemployment and 38% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Royal Oak with

    Royal Oak vs DetroitRoyal Oak vs Grand RapidsRoyal Oak vs WarrenRoyal Oak vs Sterling HeightsRoyal Oak vs Ann ArborRoyal Oak vs LansingRoyal Oak vs DearbornRoyal Oak vs Livonia

    More: Where to move in Michigan · Best counties in Michigan

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report