Is it cheaper to live in Cheyenne or Detroit?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Cheyenne, WY's $980, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cheyenne than in Detroit?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cheyenne versus $30,000 in Detroit.

Which has lower taxes, Cheyenne or Detroit?

Cheyenne is taxed under Wyoming's rules (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cheyenne vs Detroit Cost of Living 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/mo est.

Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $980 in Cheyenne, WY versus $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cheyenne, WY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 49% higher in Cheyenne, WY. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cheyenne, WY

Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio

$756

$801

+6% in Detroit, MI

1 Bedroom

$824

$752

+9% in Cheyenne, WY

2 Bedroom

$1,036

$1,001

+3% in Cheyenne, WY

3 Bedroom

$1,478

$1,195

+19% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,200

$76,800

+75% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$77,176

$39,575

+49% in Cheyenne, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,540

$52,080

+1% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.9 yr

35.1 yr

+3.8 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

67.7%

49.7%

+18.0 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

17.6%

+15.3 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Avg Commute

16.1 min

25.4 min

+9.3 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

334.6

1,783.4

+433% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

3,030.3

4,391.6

+45% in Detroit, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

50.3°F

+3.8°F in Detroit, MI

Annual Precipitation

15.9 in

31.3 in

+15.4 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.8

22.0

+49% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.31

$14.07

+6% in Detroit, MI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Cheyenne, WY

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WY / MI)

+2.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.25%

+4.3 pp in MI

Cheyenne vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cheyenne or Detroit?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Cheyenne, WY's $980, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cheyenne than in Detroit?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cheyenne versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Cheyenne or Detroit?: Cheyenne is taxed under Wyoming's rules (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).