2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Des Moines, IA vs Royal Oak, MI

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Royal Oak or is it cheaper to live in Des Moines?
- Royal Oak is 21.1% more expensive than Des Moines.

Which city has more affordable housing, Royal Oak or Des Moines?
- Royal Oak housing costs are 68.9% more expensive than Des Moines housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines or is Health Care more affordable in Royal Oak.
- Health related expenses are 22.0% less in Royal Oak.
 Des Moines, IARoyal Oak, MIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.9100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock79.9100
 Housing57.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$281,800$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.9100
 Miscellaneous112.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines

Reviews for Royal Oak    20 Reviews

Whoever put crime and urban decay as cons for Royal Oak has never been to Royal Oak. It is a very stable and safe suburb with a lot to do and access to many job  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

Michigan willturn around as soon as they break the bonds with the car companies.  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

Fun growing  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Royal Oak


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.