Helena, AL vs Royal Oak, MI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Helena
74.5
#582 nationally
Royal Oak
79.7
#111 nationally
Royal Oak leads in walk score (57 vs 12). Helena leads in crime level (2.0 vs 3.4). Royal Oak leads in average commute (24.7 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Helena, AL | Royal Oak, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#582) | 79.7 (#111) |
| Population | 22,117 | 57,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $367,018 | $337,493 |
| Median Household Income | $107,360 | $92,799 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 24.7 min |
| Walk Score | 12 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 2.0 | 3.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+40.8 | D+10.6 |
C
74.5 Score
Helena, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$367,018
Population
22,117
Crime
Low
Walk Score
12
Southeast
View Helena, AL →
C+
79.7 Score
Royal Oak, MI
Michigan community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$337,493
Population
57,452
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Royal Oak, MI →