Oakland County, MI, boasts a strong and diverse economy. It is a major hub for the automotive industry, with headquarters and major operations for companies like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The county is known for its business-friendly climate and initiatives that support economic growth. It is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a well-educated workforce. Beyond automotive, Oakland County has a strong presence in healthcare, technology, and finance.
If you’re considering moving to this area, it is important to know the cost of living in Oakland County, MI. This article provides relevant information to help you assess whether relocating to this county would be advantageous for you, given your expected income.
Understanding the Overall Cost of Living in Oakland County, MI
Simply put, the cost of living is the amount of money necessary to cover one’s basic expenses in a particular location and time period, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses.
Oakland County is home to diverse communities, with a mix of affluent and affordable places to live in. In fact, the richest city in Michigan, Lake Angelus, is in Oakland County. It has an average household income of $391,627 as of 2023.
To set a more realistic expectation, let us take a look at Pontiac, the county seat of Oakland County. The cost of living in Pontiac is 18% lower than the national average. It has an average cost of living of $1,837.
The table below shows the cost of living in Pontiac, MI, for one person and a family of four:
Cost of Living | One Person | Family of 4 |
Total with rent | $1,837 | $4,257 |
Without rent | $778 | $2,583 |
Rent & Utilities | $1,059 | $1,674 |
Food | $575 | $1,500 |
Transport | $53.10 | $144 |
Deep Dive Into Housing Costs
As of May 2025, the average home value in Oakland County was $363,602, reflecting a 2.6% increase over the previous year.
The median sale price in April was $313,333. This suggests that many properties in Oakland County are selling below the average value and may offer potential bargains for buyers.
For renters, the average rent in Oakland County, Michigan, as of May 2025, was $1,729, significantly lower compared to the national average rent of $2,049.
Other Key Living Expenses
Aside from housing, other basic expenses that are taken into account when determining the cost of living in a particular location are transportation, utilities, groceries and food, and healthcare.
Below are tables showing the average costs of these basic needs in Oakland County, MI, to allow you to compare them with those of your current place of residence.
Transportation
|
Cost of Living |
One Person |
Family of 4 |
|
Total with rent |
$1,837 |
$4,257 |
|
Without rent |
$778 |
$2,583 |
|
Rent & Utilities |
$1,059 |
$1,674 |
|
Food |
$575 |
$1,500 |
|
Transport |
$53.10 |
$144 |
Utilities
|
Transportation |
Average Cost |
|
Local transport ticket |
$5.04 |
|
Monthly ticket local transport |
$50.3 |
|
Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi |
$14.1 |
|
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal |
$0.87 |
Groceries and Food
|
Item |
Average Cost |
|
Lunch |
$18 |
|
Dinner in a restaurant for two |
$62.8 |
|
Fast food meal |
$8.91 |
|
Beer in a pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz |
$4.97 |
|
Cappuccino |
$4.98 |
|
Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz |
$2.24 |
|
Item |
Average Cost |
|
Milk (1 liter) |
$0.76 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) |
$3.13 |
|
Eggs (regular, 12) |
$3.32 |
|
Rice (white, 1kg) |
$4.61 |
|
Local Cheese (1kg) |
$9.49 |
|
Beef Round Back Leg Red Meat (1kg) |
$19 |
|
Apples (1kg) |
$4.50 |
|
Banana (1kg) |
$1.44 |
|
Oranges (1kg) |
$2.89 |
|
Tomato (1kg) |
$4.21 |
|
Potato (1kg) |
$4.06 |
|
Onion (1kg) |
$2.86 |
|
Water (1.5-liter bottle) |
$1.48 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$13.60 |
|
Beer (0.5-liter bottle) |
$1.79 |
Healthcare
|
Visit to a Medical Professional |
Average Cost |
|
General Practitioner |
$161.57 |
|
Dentist |
$131.89 |
|
Optometrist |
$146.45 |
|
Prescription Drug |
$23.09 |
|
Veterinarian |
$75.32 |
Salary Needed to Live in Oakland County, MI
In Michigan, in general, a single adult with no kids needs to make an annual salary of more than $87, 235 to live comfortably. For two working adults with two children, the ideal annual salary is $207,584.
A comfortable lifestyle is defined as having the financial capability to afford hobbies, vacations, contributions to retirement savings, education funds, and the occasional emergency on top of necessary spending.
The table below shows the typical annual salaries in some of the occupations in Oakland County, MI:
Occupation | Annual Salary |
Management | $124,330 |
Legal | $106,480 |
Architecture & Engineering | $90,900 |
Healthcare Practitioners & Technical | $95,730 |
Business & Financial Operations | $81,750 |
Finding the Cheapest Places to Live in Oakland County, MI
for an affordable place to live will find plenty of good options in the area that provide good quality of life.
Below is a list of communities in Oakland County, MI, with the lowest cost of living:
Cheapest Places to Live in Oakland County, MI
Oakland County Communities | Average Home Value |
Ortonville | $224,500 |
Royal Oak Charter Township | $118,100 |
$159,000 | |
Pontiac | $100,100 |
$129,300 | |
Rose Township | $293,800 |
$323,300 | |
Waterford Charter Township | $223,300 |
Highland Charter Township | $299,000 |
Madison Heights | $172,500 |
Conclusion
Oakland County offers a diverse range of communities, offering varying options for those with different preferences, lifestyles, and budgets.
If you’d like to explore the real estate offerings in Oakland County, MI, give us a call today at 248-780-0942 or use this link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Oakland County, Michigan?
The average rent in Oakland County as of May 2025 was $1,729, significantly lower compared to the national average rent of $2,049.
What salary is needed to live comfortably in Oakland County, MI?
In Michigan, in general, a single adult with no kids needs to make an annual salary of more than $87, 235 to live comfortably. For two working adults with two children, the ideal annual salary is $207,584.
What are the cheapest places to live in Oakland County, MI?
The cheapest places to live in Oakland County, MI, are Ortonville, Royal Oak Charter Township, Holly, Pontiac, Hazel Park, Rose Township, Lake Orion, Waterford Charter Township, Highland Charter Township, and Madison Heights.
