Cost of Living in Royal Oak, MI - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $968 (excluding rent), and $2,751 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,831 (excluding rent), and $4,987 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.09 $18.09

$10.05 $10.05

$31.16 $31.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.1 $67.1

$42.07 $42.07

$93.2 $93.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 $9.89

$8.40 $8.40

$12.85 $12.85

Cappuccino

$5.32 $5.32

$3.09 $3.09

$7.20 $7.20

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.47 $1.47

$2.94 $2.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 $1.90

$0.97 $0.97

$2.62 $2.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.09 $6.09

$3.04 $3.04

$7.10 $7.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.05 $7.05

$5.04 $5.04

$10.08 $10.08

Milk (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$0.62 $0.62

$1.36 $1.36

White Bread (500g)

$3.27 $3.27

$1.95 $1.95

$5.56 $5.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.87 $5.87

$3.39 $3.39

$11.29 $11.29

Eggs

$3.42 $3.42

$1.84 $1.84

$4.11 $4.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.21 $12.21

$6.56 $6.56

$19.70 $19.70

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.72 $11.72

$5.62 $5.62

$16.20 $16.20

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.99 $19.99

$13.13 $13.13

$22.35 $22.35

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$1.28 $1.28

$8.67 $8.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.01 $1.01

$1.79 $1.79

Oranges (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$1.75 $1.75

$10.97 $10.97

Tomato (1kg)

$6.28 $6.28

$2.00 $2.00

$10.20 $10.20

Potato (1kg)

$4.11 $4.11

$1.34 $1.34

$5.08 $5.08

Onion (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$0.88 $0.88

$6.79 $6.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.23 $1.23

$3.45 $3.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.53 $1.53

$3.04 $3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.97 $9.97

$6.05 $6.05

$12.10 $12.10

Wine (Bottle)

$14.75 $14.75

$10.82 $10.82

$17.71 $17.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.46 $1.46

$4.37 $4.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.52 $1.52

$7.08 $7.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.05 $2.05

$3.08 $3.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$69.6 $69.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$5.86 $5.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$0.92 $0.92

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.10 $26.10

$20.23 $20.23

$48.55 $48.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$0.71 $0.71

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.8K $34.8K

$23.4K $23.4K

$36.4K $36.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.0K $25.0K

$23.5K $23.5K

$26.8K $26.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$256 $256

$102 $102

$407 $407

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$56.4 $56.4

$30.34 $30.34

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.1 $62.1

$29.60 $29.60

$104 $104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.52 $42.52

$17.30 $17.30

$49.44 $49.44

Cinema Ticket

$10.97 $10.97

$9.47 $9.47

$19.94 $19.94

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,024 $1,024

$924 $924

$1,420 $1,420

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.5K $16.5K

$18.4K $18.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 $55.8

$25.12 $25.12

$70.3 $70.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.18 $31.18

$12.07 $12.07

$65.4 $65.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.4 $98.4

$45.66 $45.66

$142 $142

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$74.1 $74.1

$185 $185

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,507 $1,507

$1,306 $1,306

$1,708 $1,708

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,426 $1,426

$1,018 $1,018

$1,528 $1,528

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,300 $3,300

$3,046 $3,046

$3,553 $3,553

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,050 $2,050

$1,400 $1,400

$2,700 $2,700

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,015 $6,015

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

7.4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Royal Oak, MI Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

391

Mbps

113

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Royal Oak, MI - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Royal Oak, MI, United States sits in a comfortable middle ground for a small city near a major metro. You will likely find a balance between walkable downtown life and reasonable housing options, with dining and entertainment that aren't as pricey as coastal cities. The real value comes from proximity to Detroit and easy access to parks, shopping, and coworking spaces. Factor utilities, groceries, and transit into your plan, and compare neighborhoods by convenience rather than sticker price alone. Tip: build a budget that reflects your routine and preferred pace of life.

When planning daily life, Royal Oak, MI, United States living cost often nudges you toward a practical mix of in-town conveniences and occasional trips to larger markets. Downtown Royal Oak offers grocery stores, coffee shops, and co-working spaces within a short walk, reducing transit needs. For housing, consider a sunlit apartment or a cozy condo in walkable neighborhoods with parking options. Transport is versatile: short drives, rideshares, or a SMART bus route to Detroit; errands like dining and nightlife are within easy reach. Tip: map favorite spots to minimize backtracking.

Quality of life in Royal Oak hinges on choosing the right neighborhood, smart budgeting, and seasonal planning. Favor walkable cores like Downtown and nearby neighborhoods for easy access to shops and events without heavy travel. Use a simple budgeting framework, split expenses by needs, wants, and savings, and build a buffer for heating in winter and summer cooling. Seasonal events and farmers markets can offset dining costs if you shop fresh and cook. For housing, consider lease structures that fit project work or flexible schedules; for transport, mix transit with occasional drives to keep costs predictable. Tip: join local groups to uncover free or low-cost activities.