Cost of Living in Detroit, MI
| Cost of Living in Detroit, MI | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 24% higher | 7% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 3% lower | 3% lower |
| Food | 1% higher | 2% higher |
| Healthcare | 4% lower | 2% lower |
| Transportation | 2% lower | 1% higher |
| Goods & Services | 4% higher | 5% higher |
The cost of living in Detroit, MI is 7% higher than the state average and 4% higher than the national average. Detroit, MI housing is 7% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 3% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% pricier in Detroit, MI than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 5% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 2% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 5% pricier in Detroit, MI.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Detroit is $1,071, while home prices circle around $483,546.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Detroit, energy bills cost around $176.78 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $2.73 in Detroit, a dozen eggs go for around $2.79 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.64.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Detroit, an optometry check-up costs around $85.18, while a dentist appointment is priced $112.19 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.72 in Detroit, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $59.46.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $41.26 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $40.02.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Detroit, you should budget around $11.09 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $23.23, while dry cleaning costs about $19.66.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Detroit, the median household income is $37,761.