Farmington Hills Vs. Novi Michigan

In one corner is Farmington Hills, a city of roughly 82,000 with a suburban feel and central Oakland County access. In the other is Novi, a high-amenity hub of about 60,000 known for shopping, schools, and newer housing. These neighbors get compared constantly—for good reason. In this guide, I’ll break down the essentials: city vibe, cost of living, housing realities, job market, downtown experience, and real reviews from people who actually live there. By the end, you’ll know which one better fits your lifestyle and budget.

Quick City Overviews

Farmington Hills at a Glance

Settled in the 1820s and incorporated as a city in 1973, Farmington Hills spans about 33 square miles. It’s long been recognized for diversity, proximity to major employers, and convenient access to I-696, M-5, and the Grand River corridor. You’ll see a wide mix of subdivisions, mature trees, established neighborhoods, and condo communities—plus easy spillover into Downtown Farmington for events, dining, and walkable charm.

Vibe: Established neighborhoods, central location, strong commuter convenience.

Novi at a Glance

Organized in the 1830s and incorporated in 1969, Novi covers roughly 31 square miles. It’s widely known for Twelve Oaks Mall, retail corridors, newer subdivisions, and a reputation for strong public schools. You’ll find a steady pipeline of new or newer homes, master-planned communities, and an overall modern suburban feel.

Vibe: High amenities, newer housing stock, destination shopping and dining.

Cost of Living: Where Does Your Dollar Go?

Cost of living tools often place Novi a notch higher than Farmington Hills, driven largely by housing and lifestyle spending. Grocery and utilities tend to be similar; transportation can vary depending on commute patterns and where you live within each city. If you’re value-sensitive and flexible on features or square footage, Farmington Hills typically offers a bit more price diversity. If your priority is newer construction and immediate access to destination retail, Novi’s premium may feel justified.

Summary:

Farmington Hills: Slightly more affordable overall, broader range of prices.
Novi: Generally higher, led by housing and lifestyle/retail proximity.

Search For All Homes For Sale

See My Home's Current Value

Real Estate: Prices, Pace, and Housing Style

Farmington Hills offers an established mix: mid-century homes, 70s–90s colonials, ranches, and condos at varied price points. Buyers often like the mature landscaping, neighborhood character, and central access to major corridors. Inventory can include excellent “value plays” if you’re open to light updates.

Novi tends to skew newer: master-planned communities, larger colonials, and contemporary builds with subdivision amenities. Prices often run higher, and desirable pockets can move quickly—especially homes feeding into popular school attendance areas.

What this means for you:

If you want newer homes, community amenities, and strong school reputation in the same package, Novi is the classic pick (expect to pay for it).
If you want more selection at moderate prices with strong location convenience, Farmington Hills gives you options across many budgets.

Tip: Don’t compare taxes or HOA at a glance—both vary by neighborhood, subdivision amenities, and whether the home is homestead or not. Always verify.

41295 W 14 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48377 | Realtor.com®

Job Market & Commute: Who’s Nearby?

Both cities sit in a prime Oakland County corridor with quick access to I-96, I-275, I-696, M-5, and Grand River. Top employers and tech/engineering centers ring the area (automotive suppliers, healthcare systems, logistics/IT, and R&D). Because the city centers are just over seven miles apart, job market realities and commute options overlap. The real difference is where you need to be daily—Novi’s shopping/retail concentration means service and management roles cluster there, while Farmington Hills’ corporate parks and corridor access appeal to commuters headed east/west along I-696 or north via M-5.

Commuter takeaway: Choose the city that best splits your daily drive. For remote/hybrid workers, prioritize neighborhood feel and housing criteria.

Downtowns & Daily Life: Where You’ll Spend Time

Novi

Novi’s energy concentrates around Twelve Oaks Mall, Twelve Mile Crossing (Fountain Walk), and retail corridors along Novi Rd and Grand River. It’s car-friendly with pockets of walkability inside destination centers. Expect abundant chain and local dining, entertainment, and services. It doesn’t feel like a quaint “Main Street,” but you’ll rarely say there’s nothing to do.

Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills itself is more “suburban residential” than “traditional downtown,” but it pairs seamlessly with Downtown Farmington (just south), where you’ll find a classic Main Street, events, farmers markets, and independent dining. If you want small-town charm within minutes of expressways, this pairing hits a sweet spot.

Walkability snapshot:

Want a bustling retail/dining hub and big-box convenience? You’ll likely gravitate to Novi.
Want nearby Main Street charm with quick suburban access? Consider Farmington Hills + Downtown Farmington.

Farmington, Michigan - Wikipedia

Resident Review Themes (Summarized)

What residents often praise about Novi

Shopping, dining, and entertainment options are abundant.
Newer neighborhoods and amenities.
School reputation and community programming.

Common Novi drawbacks

Traffic on Novi Rd/Grand River during peak hours.
Less “traditional downtown” feel; more auto-oriented corridors.
Road maintenance gripes in certain pockets (typical in Metro Detroit).

What residents often praise about Farmington Hills

Central location and easy highway access.
Established neighborhoods with mature trees.
Quick hop to Downtown Farmington for events and walkable charm.

Common Farmington Hills drawbacks

Fewer “destination” centers within the city proper (you’ll drive a bit more).
Some areas show their age if not recently updated.
Traffic along Grand River during rush windows.

Schools (High-Level Orientation Only)

Both cities are served by respected districts (Novi Community School District, Farmington Public Schools) with specialty and program differences by attendance area. School boundaries matter. Always verify the assigned school for a specific address and review official resources directly.

Fair Housing note: I can help you interpret logistics (boundaries, commute, property tax impact) but cannot steer you toward or away from neighborhoods on the basis of school quality or demographics. Please consult official sources for ratings and program details.

Property Taxes & Ownership Costs (Buyer Tip)

Oakland County property taxes vary by millage rate and taxable value. If you’re comparing homes across these cities, don’t just look at the seller’s current bill—taxes “uncap” after a sale and may rise.

Low estimate for a quick comparison:

Use the current taxable value × local millage ÷ 1,000.

High estimate (more realistic for new buyers):

Take 50% of your offer/list price × local millage ÷ 1,000.

If you need help locating the current millage and taxable value for a specific address, I can pull it and run the numbers side-by-side.

Which City Fits You?

Choose Novi if you want:

Newer subdivisions and community amenities
Destination shopping/entertainment minutes from home
You’re comfortable paying a premium for convenience and schools

Choose Farmington Hills if you want:

Wider spread of price points and established neighborhoods
Quick access to highways and surrounding job nodes
A calmer residential feel with Downtown Farmington next door

FAQs: Farmington Hills vs. Novi

Is Novi more expensive than Farmington Hills?

Generally, yes—especially for newer construction and amenity-rich subdivisions. Your final costs depend on neighborhood, square footage, updates, and taxes.

Where will I find newer homes?

Novi typically has more newer or master-planned subdivisions. Farmington Hills skews more established, with pockets of newer builds and many well-kept 70s–90s homes.

Which area is more walkable?

Novi is walkable inside its destination shopping centers; Farmington Hills pairs with walkable Downtown Farmington for a classic Main Street experience.

How do property taxes compare?

They vary by subdivision and school district millage. Use the low estimate (current taxable value × millage ÷ 1,000) and the high estimate (50% of offer/list price × millage ÷ 1,000) to budget.

What about commute times?

Both offer strong access to I-96, I-275, I-696, and M-5. Let your daily route be the tiebreaker—where do you need to be most often?

Are there condo/townhome options?

Yes, both cities offer condos and townhomes. Novi’s newer offerings can carry higher prices; Farmington Hills often provides more budget flexibility.

How do schools differ?

Both communities are served by well-regarded districts. Always verify school assignments and review official resources for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Which has more to do on weekends?

If you prefer malls, chain dining, and entertainment complexes, Novi shines. If festivals, markets, and a small-town Main Street appeal to you, Farmington + Farmington Hills is a great combo.

Final Take & Next Steps

There isn’t a universal winner—just a better fit for your lifestyle. If you want newer homes and big-box convenience, start in Novi. If you want central access, established neighborhoods, and quick trips to a classic downtown, look closely at Farmington Hills.

If you want a side-by-side list of homes that match your budget, commute, and lifestyle, I’ll build you a custom compare deck (homes, taxes, HOA, commute, and schools by address). I help people move to, from, and within Michigan—and I love it.