Cost of Living in Detroit, MI - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,093 (excluding rent), and $2,527 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,667 (excluding rent), and $4,765 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.76 $17.76

$10.15 $10.15

$50.7 $50.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.5 $67.5

$42.31 $42.31

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.04 $10.04

$9.91 $9.91

$13.05 $13.05

Cappuccino

$4.78 $4.78

$2.95 $2.95

$6.87 $6.87

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 $2.59

$2.06 $2.06

$3.08 $3.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$0.98 $0.98

$2.66 $2.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.02 $6.02

$4.51 $4.51

$8.02 $8.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.15 $7.15

$5.11 $5.11

$10.21 $10.21

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.64 $0.64

$1.28 $1.28

White Bread (500g)

$3.27 $3.27

$1.95 $1.95

$5.55 $5.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.66 $5.66

$3.27 $3.27

$10.88 $10.88

Eggs

$3.24 $3.24

$1.95 $1.95

$3.89 $3.89

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.54 $12.54

$6.74 $6.74

$44.95 $44.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.93 $11.93

$5.72 $5.72

$17.57 $17.57

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.62 $20.62

$14.36 $14.36

$33.14 $33.14

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$2.7 $2.7

$8.64 $8.64

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.07 $1.07

$1.3 $1.3

Oranges (1kg)

$5.96 $5.96

$1.8 $1.8

$17.96 $17.96

Tomato (1kg)

$5.98 $5.98

$2.14 $2.14

$8.57 $8.57

Potato (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.36 $1.36

$2.26 $2.26

Onion (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$0.84 $0.84

$4.31 $4.31

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.22 $1.22

$7.8 $7.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.53 $1.53

$3.05 $3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.19 $10.19

$9.98 $9.98

$11.2 $11.2

Wine (Bottle)

$15.7 $15.7

$12.08 $12.08

$20.13 $20.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.46 $1.46

$4.36 $4.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.49 $1.49

$3.98 $3.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.8 $64.8

$48.1 $48.1

$64.8 $64.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.04 $3.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$0.92 $0.92

$1.39 $1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$48.32 $48.32

$20.13 $20.13

$48.32 $48.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.8 $0.8

$1.1 $1.1

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.7K $34.7K

$24.8K $24.8K

$35.4K $35.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$23.4K $23.4K

$27.3K $27.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$250 $250

$169 $169

$306 $306

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.5 $55.5

$34.82 $34.82

$99.5 $99.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.8 $52.8

$29.81 $29.81

$79.5 $79.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.55 $43.55

$10.12 $10.12

$91.2 $91.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.53 $25.53

$10.12 $10.12

$29.38 $29.38

Cinema Ticket

$11.04 $11.04

$9.53 $9.53

$15.05 $15.05

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,273 $1,273

$1,272 $1,272

$1,279 $1,279

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.7K $16.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.6 $55.6

$25.3 $25.3

$70.8 $70.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.01 $31.01

$12 $12

$65 $65

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.6 $98.6

$45.73 $45.73

$254 $254

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 $107

$73.8 $73.8

$177 $177

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,444 $1,444

$1,012 $1,012

$2,230 $2,230

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,140 $1,140

$887 $887

$1,479 $1,479

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,576 $2,576

$2,027 $2,027

$3,041 $3,041

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,934 $1,934

$1,500 $1,500

$2,502 $2,502

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,581 $1,581

$903 $903

$2,655 $2,655

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,541 $1,541

$816 $816

$2,012 $2,012

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,086 $3,086

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.8

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Detroit, MI - Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit offers value without sacrificing access to culture and opportunity. Cost of Living in Detroit, MI, United States provides a useful frame for comparing value across neighborhoods, from lively cores to quieter residential streets. You’ll find pockets where housing and daily expenses feel approachable, with central areas offering strong access to transit, coworking spaces, and social scenes. Food options range from markets to casual eateries, letting you control dining costs by cooking at home or choosing inexpensive meals out. Plan for seasonal shifts in activity and energy use, and give yourself time to test neighborhoods before committing. Tip: map a short-term stay to test fit.

Daily life in Detroit blends big-city amenities with approachable costs and a strong sense of neighborhood. Knowing the Detroit, MI, United States living cost helps you compare neighborhoods and plan your rent strategy. When housing search, target walkable cores like downtown or Midtown for easy access to coworkers, groceries, and nightlife, while Corktown or Indian Village offer quieter streets and potentially lower rents. Transportation centers on car use, but buses, light rail, and bike routes provide viable alternatives. Food options range from casual markets to vibrant ethnic scenes; planning a weekly shop helps keep meals affordable. For a first stay, book short-term and then convert to a longer lease after you’ve explored neighborhoods in person. Tip: give yourself two neighborhood experiments, then choose a base.

Quality of life in Detroit comes from a mix of culture, community, and access to services. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (housing, utilities) from variable ones (food, transit, leisure), and track by week rather than month to stay flexible. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activities, with milder springs and autumns inviting outdoor work and exploration. To find a neighborhood that fits, spend evenings in a few areas – Downtown, Midtown, and West Village offer different rhythms and amenities. Consider housing with flexible leases or furnished options while you test spots; a longer-term stay often brings better terms. Tip: map a weekly plan that blends work time with local discovery.