Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

vs
Evansville

Indiana

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Detroit, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 24% higher in Evansville, IN. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio
$801
$741
+7% in Detroit, MI
1 Bedroom
$752
$768
+2% in Evansville, IN
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,022
+2% in Evansville, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,167
+2% in Detroit, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$129,100
+68% in Evansville, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$52,251
+32% in Evansville, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$46,540
+11% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.1 yr
+3.0 yr in Evansville, IN
Homeownership
49.7%
53.9%
+4.2 pp in Evansville, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
22.3%
+4.7 pp in Evansville, IN
Avg Commute
25.4 min
18.7 min
+6.7 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
1,210.5
+32% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
3,716.2
+15% 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
50.3°F
56.4°F
+6.1°F in Evansville, IN
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
45.3 in
+14.0 in in Evansville, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
22.0
18.1
+18% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.07
$13.70
+3% in Detroit, MI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / IN)
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
2.95%
+1.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Evansville?
Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Detroit, MI's $970, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Evansville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $31,000 in Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Evansville?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).