Cost of Living Comparison Between Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA

🙂 Solo nomad: Detroit, MI is 26.3% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 32% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Detroit, MI is 28% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 36.5% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.26 $17.26
$25.11 $25.11
-31.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.9 $66.9
$118 $118
-43.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.07 $10.07
$13.84 $13.84
-27.24%
Cappuccino
$4.82 $4.82
$5.8 $5.8
-16.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.95 $2.95
-16.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 $1.89
$2.51 $2.51
-24.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.07 $6.07
$7.81 $7.81
-22.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.87 $6.87
$7.84 $7.84
-12.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.34 $1.34
-36.57%
White Bread (500g)
$3.15 $3.15
$4.98 $4.98
-36.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.85 $5.85
$5.35 $5.35
9.35%
Eggs
$3.41 $3.41
$6.91 $6.91
-50.65%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.32 $12.32
$24.8 $24.8
-50.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.08 $12.08
$15.74 $15.74
-23.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.73 $20.73
$20.84 $20.84
-0.53%
Apples (1kg)
$4.54 $4.54
$6.05 $6.05
-24.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.22 $1.22
$2.75 $2.75
-55.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$5.47 $5.47
6.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.19 $6.19
$6.45 $6.45
-4.03%
Potato (1kg)
$2.01 $2.01
$3.11 $3.11
-35.37%
Onion (1kg)
$2.5 $2.5
$3.69 $3.69
-32.25%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.78 $2.78
-5.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$2.52 $2.52
-18.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.19 $10.19
$11.64 $11.64
-12.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.75 $14.75
$17.15 $17.15
-13.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.94 $2.94
-31.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$4.19 $4.19
-38.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.06 $2.06
$2.8 $2.8
-26.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.3 $65.3
$101 $101
-35.29%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.68 $2.68
-7.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.38 $1.38
$1.65 $1.65
-16.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$47.26 $47.26
$30.13 $30.13
56.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.9 $0.9
$1.16 $1.16
-22.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$33.3K $33.3K
6.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K $24.7K
$26.3K $26.3K
-5.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$250 $250
$271 $271
-7.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.8 $54.8
$61.8 $61.8
-11.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.9 $53.9
$75.2 $75.2
-28.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.81 $42.81
$78.4 $78.4
-45.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.87 $24.87
$41.04 $41.04
-39.40%
Cinema Ticket
$10.9 $10.9
$15.89 $15.89
-31.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,281 $1,281
$2,248 $2,248
-43.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.1K $17.1K
$29K $29K
-41.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.3 $55.3
$69.5 $69.5
-20.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.95 $30.95
$52.5 $52.5
-41.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.3 $98.3
$120 $120
-17.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 $107
$142 $142
-24.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,441 $1,441
$2,376 $2,376
-39.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,139 $1,139
$1,829 $1,829
-37.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,561 $2,561
$4,702 $4,702
-45.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,964 $1,964
$3,474 $3,474
-43.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,371 $1,371
$6,928 $6,928
-80.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,257 $1,257
$5,224 $5,224
-75.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,172 $3,172
$6,473 $6,473
-51.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.42
-

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Detroit, MI: October 29, 2025

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

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