Washington, DC vs Detroit, MI: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Detroit is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Washington are 12.1% higher, and housing prices differ the most (135.9 in Washington vs 81.9 in Detroit). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $2,289 in Detroit.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 97.5 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 100.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 81.9 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 98.8 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 107.0 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 102.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $2,289 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $3,935 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $4,844 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $1,074 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $802 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $1,043 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $1,238 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $83,900 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $39,938 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 35.9% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 2.1× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 22.99 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.10 † |
| Population | 681,294 | 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
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
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 | Washington | Detroit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $934 | −$1,440 |
| Utilities | $534 | $509 | −$25 |
| Food at home | $779 | $734 | −$45 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,620 | −$161 |
| Health care | $621 | $623 | +$2 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $424 | −$19 |
| Total | $6,532 | $4,844 | −$1,688 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
Try other numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is Detroit more expensive than Washington?
No. Overall prices in Detroit, MI (index 97.5) are 10.8% lower than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), 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 135.9.
What salary do I need in Detroit to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $53,500. Going the other way, $60,000 in Detroit buys about as much as $67,300 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Detroit?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,074 in Detroit (−45.0% in Detroit; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $83,900.
Notes
- Washington: 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