Pros And Cons Of Living In Auburn Hills Michigan - Auburn Hills Michigan has earned the reputation of being a distinguished leader in southeast Michigan, not just in the retail, entertainment and manufacturing space, but the great amenities this city has to offer. With that being said, I am going to tackle the pros and cons of living in the city of Auburn hills, let’s get to it.

Auburn Hills is a place I know fairly well, being as I basically lived there for a short time, and having helped a few clients call this fine city their home, so make some popcorn, put your phone on silent and enjoy the show.

Pros of Living in Auburn Hills, Michigan

Pro #1 – Location

Auburn Hills is one of the most strategically located cities in Oakland County. Covering 16.68 square miles with roughly 26,000 residents, the city sits right along I-75 (north–south) and M-59 (east–west), making commuting incredibly convenient.

It borders or sits near several highly desirable communities:

• Rochester & Rochester Hills
• Lake Angelus – the most expensive city in Metro Detroit
• Troy – one of Michigan’s top business hubs
• Pontiac – an area undergoing consistent redevelopment

Before incorporating as its own city in 1983, Auburn Hills was part of Pontiac Township. Today, it is fully independent and stands out for its easy expressway access, central location, and quick connections to major employers and regional job centers.

Pro #2 – Home Prices

One of the most surprising advantages of Auburn Hills is its relative affordability compared to surrounding high-end cities.

According to recent MLS data:

• Auburn Hills average sale price: ~$278,000

  • Up 12.4% year-over-year

• Rochester & Rochester Hills home prices:

  • Roughly 1.5–2x higher than Auburn Hills

Because these cities blend into one another geographically, the contrast in pricing is eye-opening. You can drive a few minutes and see housing prices jump drastically.

From an economic standpoint, this positions Auburn Hills extremely well:

• It’s surrounded by stable, desirable, high-value communities
• Its home prices remain accessible for many buyers
• It benefits from nearby demand and long-term growth

When celebrities, executives, and athletes choose surrounding areas like Lake Angelus and Bloomfield Hills, it signals the region’s desirability — and Auburn Hills benefits from that proximity while keeping price points more attainable.

Pro #3 – Community Atmosphere

Auburn Hills has a warm, friendly, and community-oriented atmosphere. During the pandemic, you personally explored the sidewalks, parks, and public spaces — and experienced the friendliness firsthand. People wave, say hello, and look out for one another.

Resident reviews often highlight:

• A “family-friendly, close-knit community” feel
• Support for local businesses
• Safe, calm neighborhoods
• Strong sense of belonging

For a city surrounded by large corporate hubs and major retail corridors, Auburn Hills retains a surprisingly small-town, neighbor-focused identity.

Pro #4 – Things To Do in Auburn Hills

Auburn Hills offers a long list of activities and events throughout the year, reinforcing its community focus.

City-run events include:

• Riverside Splash Pad
• Knight Amphitheater events
• Summerfest
• Paddle-Palooza
• River Day Fishing Derby
• Feed Your Soul Festival
• Friday Night Music Series
• Jazz & Blues in the Park

Plus, Auburn Hills is home to major attractions, including:

• Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
• Topgolf
• Riverside Park
• Hawk Woods Nature Center
• A variety of local restaurants

Even though Auburn Hills is smaller geographically, it offers plenty for residents of all ages — from outdoor recreation to entertainment to community programming.

Cons of Living in Auburn Hills, Michigan

Con #1 – Limited Downtown & Things to Do 

ALTHOUGH! They are doing a wonderful job changing this since this video was recorded.

While Auburn Hills offers parks, activities, and large attractions, residents often say the downtown area feels small or underdeveloped.

Common feedback includes:

• Desire for a more vibrant, walkable downtown
• Fewer restaurant choices compared to nearby cities
• Limited “budget-friendly” or casual entertainment options

This is a reasonable critique — especially since nearby Rochester has one of the most active, decorated, and heavily visited downtowns in Metro Detroit.

If you're not into:

• Mall shopping
• Topgolf
• Parks and nature trails
• Big-box retail

…you may find yourself traveling to nearby communities for additional options.

Con #2 – Lack of Variety in City Offerings

Auburn Hills has the basics — parks, shopping, entertainment, café spots, etc. But residents often mention that the city lacks variety, especially in the restaurant and nightlife categories.

Reasons include:

• The city is nearly built out — limited space for new development
• Surrounding communities already dominate the dining/entertainment market
• Many nearby options are only 10–20 minutes away, so residents default to those

This doesn’t mean Auburn Hills lacks essentials — rather, it means residents often drive to neighboring cities for more diverse offerings.

Con #3 – Traffic & Heavy Commuting Volumes

Traffic is a notable issue due to:

• Oakland University (large commuter student base)
• Baker College (Auburn Hills campus)
• Several major corporate headquarters

Large employers include:

• FCA (now part of Stellantis)
• BorgWarner
• Guardian Industries
• Autoliv
• RGIS
• Joyson Safety Systems
• GKN Driveline
• Volkswagen/Audi

When tens of thousands of workers and students flood the same streets, traffic builds fast — especially near Squirrel Road, University Drive, I-75 interchanges, and the college corridors.

Still, the flip side is clear:
Auburn Hills has exceptional job availability, and many residents move here specifically for employment opportunities in automotive, engineering, and tech sectors.

Final Thoughts

Auburn Hills, Michigan offers a rare blend of affordability, accessibility, community, and job opportunity — all wrapped into a small but strategically located city at the crossroads of major Metro Detroit highways.

It’s ideal for buyers who want:

• Lower housing prices near high-value areas
• A friendly, community-oriented environment
• Quick access to expressways
• A strong job market
• A quieter suburban feel with nearby entertainment options

If you’re moving to, from, or around Auburn Hills, feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to help you find the right fit.

Mentioned Links

Auburn Hills Michigan Event Page: https://bit.ly/3Gmdphm
Auburn Hills Michigan Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Gm3YhY
Fun Things To Do in Auburn Hills Michigan: https://youtu.be/1D5QWEd1Ps8