Cost of Living in Oak Park, MI

Population 29,370 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Oak Park stay well under national norms: a median home value of $199,000 against median household incomes of $65,882 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Michigan. At 9.9%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 7 miles northwest of Detroit, Oak Park falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 158% higher than Detroit's $77,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 65
Rent 103

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Oak Park

The median home value in Oak Park is $198,500 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,354/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,882/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 42.3°F. Overall, Oak Park has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$198,500
35% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$227,515
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,354/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,476/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 59.3%
Renter-occupied 40.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,354
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,968/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.2 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.3%
Carpooled
8.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
21.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$65,882
12% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,249
Unemployment Rate
9.9%
106% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Labor Force Participation
67.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.7%
Graduate degree 14.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 35.3
Female median age 42.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
42.3°F
Annual Precip
29.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323545587079848174614837
Low °F 202128395060656456453426
Precip" 1.451.412.022.823.493.103.223.103.092.302.161.73

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
73.9%
Good air days/yr
169
Max AQI recorded
53
PM2.5 days
208
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

81.7%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
15
Public schools
8,711
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Oak Park, MI?

Oak Park has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Oak Park, MI?

The median gross rent in Oak Park is $1,354 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Oak Park?

The median home value in Oak Park is $198,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Oak Park?

The median household income in Oak Park is $65,882 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Oak Park, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Oak Park is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Oak Park, MI affordable?

Yes, Oak Park is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Oak Park?

Oak Park has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 42.3°F. Annual precipitation is 29.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Oak Park at a Glance

Population
29,370
Median Income
$65,882
Home Value
$198,500
Median Rent
$1,354/mo
Unemployment
9.9%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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