Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Las Vegas?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Las Vegas?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Detroit vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Las Vegas, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 44% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$801

$992

+24% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$752

$1,181

+57% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$1,401

+40% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,740

+46% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$395,300

+415% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$70,723

+79% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$46,670

+10% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

38.5 yr

+3.4 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

49.7%

55.7%

+6.0 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

27.3%

+9.7 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Avg Commute

25.4 min

25.8 min

+0.4 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

433.3

+76% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

2,642.1

+40% 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

68.4°F

+18.1°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

5.4 in

+26.0 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

22.0

13.6

+38% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.07

$12.09

+14% in Detroit, MI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / NV)

6.85%

+0.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

None

+4.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Las Vegas?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Las Vegas?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).