Location: Ferndale vs. Royal Oak, Michigan

When comparing two Michigan cities, it’s common to look at communities that are far apart. Ferndale and Royal Oak are the opposite — these cities are less than 10 minutes from each other, both sitting roughly 25–30 minutes from Downtown Detroit. They’re each positioned right off Woodward Avenue with quick access to I-696 and I-75, making both locations ideal for commuters.

Ferndale, incorporated in 1927, has just over 20,000 residents within 3.88 square miles. Royal Oak, incorporated earlier in 1921, is significantly larger with over 58,000 residents across 11.79 square miles.

City Feel: How Ferndale and Royal Oak Compare

Even though these cities are close in distance, their vibes are entirely different. A popular local forum summed it up perfectly:

“Royal Oak is the new Birmingham, Ferndale is the new Royal Oak, Hazel Park is the new Ferndale.”

If you live in these areas, let me know in the comments whether you agree.

To break that down:

Royal Oak as the New Birmingham
Birmingham is known for being polished, high-end, dense, walkable, and constantly evolving. Royal Oak is following that same trajectory — shifting from a smaller community into a city filled with parking structures, new development, high-rise condos, and a busier downtown environment. Population density is higher, traffic is thicker, and the vibe leans more urban and energetic.

Ferndale as the “Younger Sibling” of Royal Oak
Ferndale is smaller, more intimate, and grows at a slower pace. At under 4 square miles, it retains a true small-town feel while still benefiting from the boom of nearby Royal Oak. Because the cities are so close, their economies and foot traffic complement each other. Many people spill into both cities after Detroit sporting events, concerts, and weekend outings.

If you prefer quieter neighborhoods, Ferndale leans that way. If you want bustle, nightlife, and a busier downtown, Royal Oak wins.

Culture: Arts, Events, and Community Differences

Ferndale and Royal Oak both have strong cultural identities, but they attract different crowds.

Ferndale’s Culture
Ferndale is known for:

• Art, music, and DIY culture
• Diversity and open-mindedness
• Independent shops and community-focused events
• A strong influx of out-of-state residents drawn to its creative atmosphere

Royal Oak’s Culture
Royal Oak draws larger crowds due to major attractions like:

• The Detroit Zoo
• Royal Oak Music Theatre
• Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
• Arts, Beats & Eats (Labor Day weekend festival)

Because of this, Royal Oak tends to have heavier traffic, busier weekends, and more tourism-driven activity.

Picture: Downtown Royal Oak, Michigan 

Schools: Royal Oak Schools vs. Ferndale Schools

Royal Oak Schools
Top schools include:

• Northwood Elementary
• Royal Oak Middle School
• Royal Oak High School

Royal Oak High School earned the College Success Award from 2018–2021 for helping students enroll in and stay with college.

Ferndale Schools
Includes:

• Ferndale Upper Elementary
• Ferndale Middle School
• Ferndale High School

Ferndale High earned the College Success Award in 2020.

According to GreatSchools.org:

• Royal Oak: Above-average rating
• Ferndale: Below-average rating

Royal Oak scores higher in academics, equity, and overall school environment.

Things to Do in Ferndale and Royal Oak

Both cities offer walkable downtowns and plenty of entertainment.

Royal Oak Highlights

• Detroit Zoo
• Royal Oak Music Theatre
• Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
• Motor City Gas (craft whiskey)
• Modern Skate & Surf
• Arts, Beats & Eats festival

Ferndale Highlights

• Detroit Ax (ax throwing)
• Fifth Wall Escape Rooms
• VR+ Virtual Reality
• Ferndale DIY Street Fair (art, music, food, breweries, distilleries)

Both cities have extremely strong nightlife scenes, which is why they remain two of the most popular downtown areas in Oakland County.

Picture: Downtown Ferndale, Michigan

Restaurants in Royal Oak vs. Ferndale

Royal Oak Restaurant Scene

• Ale Mary’s Beer Hall – craft beer + full menu
• Pinky’s Rooftop – creative drinks + rooftop views
• Mesa Tacos & Tequila – incredible nachos
• Johnny’s – hidden speakeasy with craft cocktails

Ferndale Restaurant Scene

• Pop’s For Italian – upscale Italian & pizza
• Public House – creative burgers + rustic atmosphere
• One-Eyed Betty’s – casual American + pinball
• Assaggi Bistro – rustic Mediterranean + top-tier wood-fired pizza

Shopping in Both Cities

To avoid listing dozens of businesses, you can view shopping options here:

• Royal Oak Shopping: https://bit.ly/3nilitO
• Ferndale Shopping: https://bit.ly/3NoICRg

Economy, Job Market & Cost of Living Comparison

Based on BestPlaces.net:

• Ferndale Cost of Living Index: 96.8
• Royal Oak Cost of Living Index: 101.6

Housing and median home cost are where the biggest differences appear:

• Royal Oak Housing Index: 106.9
• Ferndale Housing Index: 76.6

A 10-minute drive equals a 30-point difference in housing affordability — a huge spread for two neighboring cities.

Real Estate Market: Ferndale vs. Royal Oak (MLS Data)

Average Sale Price (Past 12 Months)

• Royal Oak: $334,214 (+12.1%)
• Ferndale: $245,074 (+6.3%)

Royal Oak continues to appreciate quickly due to growth, demand, schools, and development.

Months Supply (Inventory)

• Ferndale: ~1.0 month
• Royal Oak: ~1.0 month
• Entire Michigan MLS: ~1.5 months

Inventory is tight across the board, with both Ferndale and Royal Oak decreasing 20–30% year-over-year. Median days on market: 11–12 days.

Income & Job Market

Median Household Income

• Royal Oak: $81,165
• Ferndale: $71,000

Drive 10 minutes → earn $10K more (on average), but also spend more.

Job Market Trends
Both cities have experienced slight declines in recent job growth but strong future growth:

• Ferndale: 36.46% future job growth
• Royal Oak: 39.68% future job growth
  Both outperform U.S. averages in projections.

Overall City Rankings (Niche.com)

Ferndale – Overall Grade: A

• Public Schools: C-
• Housing: B+
• Cost of Living: B+
• Nightlife: A+

Royal Oak – Overall Grade: A+

• Public Schools: A-
• Housing: A-
• Cost of Living: B
• Nightlife: A+

Which City Is Better to Live In?

It depends on what you want:

Choose Ferndale if you want:

• A small-town feel
• Lower home prices
• Artsy, creative energy
• Slower pace but walkable downtown

Choose Royal Oak if you want:

• Higher-rated schools
• A denser urban feel
• Major events and attractions
• A fast-growing economy

Both are fantastic cities — the best choice depends on your lifestyle, priorities, and budget.

Links Mentioned

Royal Oak Shopping: https://bit.ly/3nilitO
Ferndale Shopping: https://bit.ly/3NoICRg
Birmingham Tour: https://bit.ly/3nilWaI