Cost of Living in Detroit

Summary of cost of living in Detroit, MI, United States:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $4,269.8, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,185.8, excluding rent.
  • Detroit is 33.4% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Detroit is, on average, 67.5% lower than in New York.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $18.00 15.00-50.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $65.00 45.00-105.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $13.00 10.00-15.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $7.50 4.50-10.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $9.00 5.00-12.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $5.54 3.00-10.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) $2.99 2.00-5.25
Bottled Water (12 oz) $2.00 1.80-2.50
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $0.95 0.74-1.32
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $3.20 2.00-4.99
White Rice (1 lb) $2.48 1.60-3.80
Eggs (12, Large Size) $3.90 2.30-4.58
Local Cheese (1 lb) $6.15 3.49-20.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $5.14 2.50-5.79
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $7.47 6.50-7.83
Apples (1 lb) $2.27 1.50-2.48
Bananas (1 lb) $0.71 0.55-0.80
Oranges (1 lb) $2.05 1.00-7.99
Tomatoes (1 lb) $2.17 1.00-2.58
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.15 0.80-1.37
Onions (1 lb) $1.39 1.27-1.50
Lettuce (1 Head) $2.38 2.30-2.50
Bottled Water (50 oz) $2.42 1.99-2.99
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $15.60 14.99-15.99
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) $3.11 2.10-4.29
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $3.46 2.59-3.76
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $10.40 10.03-15.00
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.00 2.00-2.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $120.00 120.00-120.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $3.00 3.00-3.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) $2.49 2.49-2.49
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $24.00 24.00-24.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) $0.93 0.81-1.28
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $36,033.00 34,220.00-36,570.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $26,861.04 25,598.00-30,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $215.37 200.00-220.98
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $59.97 35.00-100.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $69.56 50.00-75.30
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $34.00 15.00-54.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $17.50 6.00-40.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $12.00 10.00-15.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $1,368.37 600.00-2,158.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $32,070.71 26,300.00-40,875.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $59.09 50.00-69.99
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $41.44 25.00-44.44
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $96.30 70.00-250.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes $118.63 80.00-180.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,520.00 1,240.00-2,200.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $937.40 826.00-1,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,833.33 2,240.00-3,610.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,701.56 1,370.00-2,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $365.21 255.00-374.40
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $119.30 72.74-185.00
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $3,409.08
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 5.91 4.50-6.20

Prices in Detroit, Michigan

This city had 449 entries in the past 12 months by 19 different contributors.
Last update: 4 May 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Detroit? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Detroit.
  
  
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