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Cost of Living · Michigan

Detroit Cost of Living

Detroit, Michigan costs approximately 8.0% below the US national average. Compare with 99 other major US cities.

0.92×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Detroit ranks 2 of 2 cities in Michigan by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Detroit (75)
San Francisco, CA
+57.6% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+46.7% more expensive
New York City, NY
+43.5% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+41.3% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+41.3% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+32.6% more expensive
Boston, MA
+32.6% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+31.5% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+30.4% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+30.4% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+28.3% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+28.3% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+28.3% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+28.3% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+25.0% more expensive
Miami, FL
+21.7% more expensive
Portland, OR
+19.6% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+19.6% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+19.6% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+19.6% more expensive
Denver, CO
+17.4% more expensive
Chicago, IL
+14.1% more expensive
Austin, TX
+14.1% more expensive
Baltimore, MD
+14.1% more expensive
Stockton, CA
+14.1% more expensive
Aurora, CO
+14.1% more expensive
Hialeah, FL
+14.1% more expensive
Frisco, TX
+14.1% more expensive
Las Vegas, NV
+13.0% more expensive
Minneapolis, MN
+13.0% more expensive
Plano, TX
+13.0% more expensive
Chandler, AZ
+13.0% more expensive
Phoenix, AZ
+10.9% more expensive
Philadelphia, PA
+10.9% more expensive
Atlanta, GA
+10.9% more expensive
Tampa, FL
+10.9% more expensive
Henderson, NV
+10.9% more expensive
Reno, NV
+10.9% more expensive
Gilbert, AZ
+10.9% more expensive
Charleston, SC
+10.9% more expensive
Salt Lake City, UT
+10.9% more expensive
Orlando, FL
+9.8% more expensive
Wilmington, DE
+8.7% more expensive
Raleigh, NC
+8.7% more expensive
Virginia Beach, VA
+8.7% more expensive
St. Paul, MN
+8.7% more expensive
Chesapeake, VA
+8.7% more expensive
North Las Vegas, NV
+8.7% more expensive
Boise, ID
+8.7% more expensive
Fresno, CA
+8.7% more expensive
Worcester, MA
+8.7% more expensive
Dallas, TX
+7.6% more expensive
Nashville, TN
+7.6% more expensive
Colorado Springs, CO
+7.6% more expensive
Bakersfield, CA
+7.6% more expensive
St. Petersburg, FL
+7.6% more expensive
Madison, WI
+7.6% more expensive
Norfolk, VA
+6.5% more expensive
Jacksonville, FL
+5.4% more expensive
Charlotte, NC
+5.4% more expensive
Mesa, AZ
+5.4% more expensive
Houston, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Fort Worth, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Tucson, AZ
+4.3% more expensive
Glendale, AZ
+4.3% more expensive
Garland, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Spokane, WA
+4.3% more expensive
Pittsburgh, PA
+3.3% more expensive
Arlington, TX
+3.3% more expensive
Tallahassee, FL
+3.3% more expensive
Milwaukee, WI
+2.2% more expensive
Albuquerque, NM
+2.2% more expensive
New Orleans, LA
+2.2% more expensive
San Antonio, TX
+1.1% more expensive
Grand Rapids, MI
+1.1% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Detroit (16)
El Paso, TX
−1.1% cheaper
Cleveland, OH
−1.1% cheaper
St. Louis, MO
−1.1% cheaper
Winston-Salem, NC
−1.1% cheaper
Indianapolis, IN
−2.2% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−2.2% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−2.2% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−3.3% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−3.3% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−3.3% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−4.3% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−4.3% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−4.3% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−6.5% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−6.5% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−6.5% cheaper

What living in Detroit costs

At 0.92x national costs, Detroit is more expensive than 16 and cheaper than 75 of the 99 other metros here. In practical terms that is $1,050 a month for a one-bedroom and roughly $245,000 to buy.

Price-to-rent sits around 19 — the middle band where buying and renting are close enough that the decision turns on how long you will stay and what else you would do with the down payment.

Working and living here

Detroit is a metro of roughly 4.3M and roughly flat, running on automotive manufacturing, healthcare, finance. Larger employers include General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Stellantis.

Two tax details that change take-home here: Detroit levies a local income tax of about 2.40% on top of state and federal — roughly $2,400 a year on a $100,000 salary — and Michigan taxes income as well.

Getting around: Detroit is effectively car-dependent. Budget for a car — around $9,000 a year all-in once insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking are counted, a cost the index assumes but does not itemise.

Climate: January highs near 33°F/lows near 21°F with lake-effect snow; July highs near 83°F/lows near 64°F, humid.

City of Detroit levies a 2.4% resident income tax (1.2% for non-residents who work there) on top of Michigan's flat state tax.

Related tools

Paycheck calculator — take-home after federal, state and local tax. Salary calculator — pay by job and state. Compare against another metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Detroit expensive to live in?▾
Relative to the US average, no — the cost index is 0.92x, above 16 and below 75 of the 99 other metros tracked here. A one-bedroom averages $1,050 a month and the median home $245,000.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Detroit?▾
A common rule keeps rent under 30% of gross income, which at $1,050 a month implies about $42,000 a year for a one-bedroom, before accounting for the 2.40% local income tax. That is a floor rather than a comfortable figure — it leaves nothing for savings or the car this metro effectively requires.