Auburn Hills, MI vs Royal Oak, MI

Auburn Hills, MI and Royal Oak, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Auburn Hills scores 96 while Royal Oak scores 100 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn Hills is $1,411/month compared to $1,335/month in Royal Oak — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Royal Oak has cheaper rent, Auburn Hills actually has lower median home values ($233,900 vs $305,900).

Median household income in Auburn Hills is $78,727 compared to $95,182 in Royal Oak (-17.3%). While Royal Oak is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn Hills spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in Royal Oak.