Median rent is 3% lower in Royal Oak ($1,335/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Royal Oak, where the median home runs $305,900 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Royal Oak ($95,182 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Royal Oak, MI
How much would you need to earn in Royal Oak, MI to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Royal Oak
Michigan
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,380/mo in Chicago and $1,335/mo in Royal Oak. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $305,900 in Royal Oak.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 4.25% in Michigan, so Royal Oak is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Michigan; Royal Oak has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Royal Oak
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Royal Oak.
Pick Royal Oak if you prioritize higher median household income ($95,182/yr).
Pick Royal Oak if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Royal Oak?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Royal Oak?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,335/mo in Royal Oak, MI. Royal Oak, MI has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Royal Oak?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $95,182 in Royal Oak, MI. Royal Oak, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Royal Oak?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Michigan's is 4.25%. Royal Oak, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Royal Oak to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology