Philadelphia, PA vs Detroit, MI: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Detroit is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Philadelphia are 4.1% higher, and housing prices differ the most (106.3 in Philadelphia vs 81.9 in Detroit). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,782 a month in Philadelphia and $2,289 in Detroit.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.5 | 97.5 |
| BEA index for the area | 102.6 | 100.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 106.3 | 81.9 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 98.8 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 107.0 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 102.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,782 | $2,289 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,477 | $3,935 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,279 | $4,844 |
| Median gross rent | $1,397 | $1,074 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,242 | $802 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,471 | $1,043 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,492 | $1,238 |
| Median home value | $243,100 | $83,900 |
| Median household income | $61,953 | $39,938 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.4% | 35.9% |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.9× | 2.1× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 21.77 | 22.99 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.10 † |
| Population | 1,579,706 | 638,530 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.5, Housing (rents) 106.3, Goods 96.8, Utilities 114.4, Other services 103.1
Detroit, MI
Detroit price index by category, US average = 100: All items 97.5, Housing (rents) 81.9, Goods 98.8, Utilities 107.0, Other services 102.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Philadelphia | Detroit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,252 | $934 | −$318 |
| Utilities | $582 | $509 | −$73 |
| Food at home | $719 | $734 | +$15 |
| Transportation | $1,682 | $1,620 | −$62 |
| Health care | $626 | $623 | −$3 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $418 | $424 | +$6 |
| Total | $5,279 | $4,844 | −$435 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Detroit more expensive than Philadelphia?
No. Overall prices in Detroit, MI (index 97.5) are 3.9% lower than in Philadelphia, PA (index 101.5), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 81.9 vs 106.3.
What salary do I need in Detroit to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?
About $57,600. Going the other way, $60,000 in Detroit buys about as much as $62,500 in Philadelphia. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Philadelphia or Detroit?
Median gross rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,074 in Detroit (−23.1% in Detroit; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $243,100 and $83,900.
Notes
- Philadelphia: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Detroit: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources