2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Evanston, IL vs Royal Oak, MI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Royal Oak or is it cheaper to live in Evanston?
- Royal Oak is 0.8% less expensive than Evanston.

Which city has more affordable housing, Royal Oak or Evanston?
- Royal Oak housing costs are 37.2% less expensive than Evanston housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Evanston or is Health Care more affordable in Royal Oak.
- Health related expenses are 9.2% less in Royal Oak.
 Evanston, ILRoyal Oak, MIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.9100
 Food & Groceries100.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock79.9100
 Housing155.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$281,800$338,100
 Utilities95  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.9100
 Miscellaneous140.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Evanston    20 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

be sure to take pictures of where you park... Full-scale parking scam going on in this town. They purposely obscure self-pay parking signs. Nine out of 10 visitors  More

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I've lived here for two years for school. Terrible place for students. Northwestern is a great school/campus, but the city itself is NOT student friendly. Everything  More

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Aside from everything else mentioned on this site about the bad aspects of Evanston - bot be overlooked is the NOISE. The People's Republic of Evanston CATERS to the  More

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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

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Over 15 years ago

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

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Over 16 years ago

Fun growing  More

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