What is the cost of living in Detroit, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Detroit has an overall cost of living index of 83, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Detroit has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Detroit ranks as #17 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Detroit ranks as the #162 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Detroit, check out:
Detroit Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Detroit. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Detroit is 100.
The Groceries index in Detroit is 98.
The Health index in Detroit is 45.
The Housing index in Detroit is 94.
The Transportation index in Detroit is 102.
The Utilities index in Detroit is 99.
| Living Expense | Detroit | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 83 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 45 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Detroit Cost Of Living Compared To Michigan Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Detroit Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Detroit, MI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Michigan, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Detroit is $75,357.
The Median Rent in Detroit is $1,074.
The Median Income in Detroit is $39,938.
The Home Value To Income in Detroit is 1.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Detroit is 0.32x.
Detroit, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Detroit Services costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Detroit Groceries costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Detroit Health costs vs. Michigan
Detailed Detroit Transportation costs vs. Michigan
Detroit SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Detroit
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Detroit. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Dearborn, MI has a cost of living index of 97, 1.2x Detroit.
Livonia, MI has a cost of living index of 101, 1.2x Detroit.
Troy, MI has a cost of living index of 114, 1.4x Detroit.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Detroit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn, MI | 107,423 | 97 | 1.2x |
| Livonia, MI | 93,851 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Troy, MI | 87,898 | 114 | 1.4x |
| Rochester Hills, MI | 77,089 | 118 | 1.4x |
| Royal Oak, MI | 57,950 | 107 | 1.3x |
| Oak Park, MI | 29,318 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Hamtramck, MI | 27,743 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Birmingham, MI | 21,763 | 146 | 1.8x |
| Ferndale, MI | 19,190 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Berkley, MI | 15,149 | 105 | 1.3x |
