Royal Oak, MI ranked among the Best Places to Live in the US in 2022 - Livability (2024)

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Royal Oak, MI is the #63 Best City to Live in the USA

Royal Oak, MI ranked among the Best Places to Live in the US in 2022 - Livability (1)

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Royal Oak, MI
Quality of Life
Liv Score

612
How We Calculate Our Data
Civics 77
Demographics 26
Economy 80
Education 48
Health 58
Housing 58
Infrastructure 46
Amenities 55

Why Royal Oak is one of the best cities to live in

Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Detroit, Royal Oak, MI, can feel a world away. Residents enjoy a close-knit, small-town community vibe with all the perks of easy access to a bustling, big city. Although small – less than 60,000 call Royal Oak home – the town plays much bigger than its size with an award-winning school system, nearly 50 parks, trendy downtown shopping and dining, a major academic medical center, and a nationally recognized zoo, making it one of the best places to live in the U.S. Recognized by Tree City USA, Royal Oak lives up to its name with greenery and colorful landscaping, adding to the serene feeling of this highly walkable town.

And the push for progress continues. Royal Oak began 2022 with $200 million in new investment, and city leaders recently adopted a Sustainability & Climate Action Plan to significantly reduce greenhouse admissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero status by 2050.

What are Royal Oak’s major industries and employers?

Top industries in Royal Oak include manufacturing, health care, utilities and professional services. William Beaumont Hospital, Metaldyne, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are among the largest employers.

What are the colleges and universities in Royal Oak?

Oakland Community College – Royal Oak Campus & Baker College (Royal Oak campus opening fall 2022)

What is the weather like in Royal Oak?

The months of May through October are pretty close to perfect, with highs ranging from the 60s to low 80s. But, to get there, you must first brave winters that bring close to 32 inches of snow.

What is there to do outside in Royal Oak?

If you live in Royal Oak, chances are you’re within walking distance of a park. Fun for all ages, Starr Jaycee Park features sports fields, disc golf, volleyball, fitness stations, a playground and monthly train rides for kids from May to October.

Royal Oak, MI is Remote-Ready

What makes Royal Oak a great place for remote workers?

Being located in one of the most remote-work-friendly states in the U.S., Royal Oak already has a leg up on incentivizing new hires and relocators. Plus, the highest age demographic in Royal Oak are people ages 25 to 34, and most residents own their homes, which points to a healthy and hopeful economy. Nearly 40% of the city’s population is highly educated, holding Bachelor’sBachelor’s degrees. Compared to most of the rest of the state, all of Royal Oaks residents have access to faster-than-average internet speeds, which means that whether you’re in your living room or at one of the city’s coworking spaces, you can get your work done quickly and on your own time.

What Locals Love in Royal Oak, MI

What is the best local bookstore in Royal Oak?

For book lovers by book lovers, Paper Trail Books is owned by brothers Dave and Scott Brown who put their love of literature to work helping customers find the right read and a sense of literary community.

How do you spend a weekend in Royal Oak?

More than 2,000 animals call the 125-acre Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak home. The first in the country to create barless habitats, the zoo creates a safe haven for everything from anteaters to zebras. Don’t miss the newly reopened Polk Penguin Conservation Center.

What can you do for free in Royal Oak?

Started in 1925, the Royal Oak Farmers Market is a city tradition and the place to buy locally grown produce, plants, meats, cheeses and specialty food products. The market is also a gathering spot for the community with an antique market every Sunday and special events throughout the year.

What’s the best way to spend happy hour in Royal Oak?

Garnering both local and national accolades, Ale Mary’s has an extensive tap list, weekly whiskey flights and a menu that runs the range from a beer cheese burger to vegan shakes.

What’s something only locals know about Royal Oak?

Each Labor Day Weekend, Royal Oak hosts Arts, Beats & Eats where hundreds of thousands of guests enjoy 200 musical acts, a juried art show and great food.

Is Royal Oak, MI a good place to live?

A close-knit community, an excellent school system and plenty of green space make Royal Oak a best place to live in Michigan.

Thinking of Moving to Royal Oak?

What is the Royal Oak, MI real estate market like?

With its trendy pockets of unique shops and dining, art studios, and parks, the Royal Oak real estate consists of an eclectic mix of single-family, townhomes, and condos. Whether you’re interested in low-maintenance homes for sale in Royal Oak at the lofts on Washington or a single-family home, with a nice size yard, in neighborhoods like Aqua Sub or Woodward you can find it all here in this suburban city. We’ve barely skimmed the surface of some of the best places to live in the city, but there are several Royal Oak real estate agents available to help you find what you’re looking for.

Quick Facts About Royal Oak, MI

Average Commute
22.39

Median Home Value
$276,466

Med. Household Income
$87,560

Total Population
58,235

Walk Score
50

Median Property Tax
$3,609

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