Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

vs
Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lincoln, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 43% higher in Lincoln, NE. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio
$801
$851
+6% in Lincoln, NE
1 Bedroom
$752
$879
+17% in Lincoln, NE
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,070
+7% in Lincoln, NE
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,379
+15% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$248,200
+223% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$69,991
+77% in Lincoln, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$49,800
+4% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
33.4 yr
+1.7 yr in Detroit, MI
Homeownership
49.7%
55.8%
+6.1 pp in Lincoln, NE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
41.0%
+23.4 pp in Lincoln, NE
Avg Commute
25.4 min
18.3 min
+7.1 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
363.1
+80% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
2,484.4
+43% 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
51.5°F
+1.2°F in Lincoln, NE
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
30.9 in
+0.5 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
22.0
13.6
+38% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.07
$15.53
+10% in Lincoln, NE

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 / NE)
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.55%
+0.3 pp in NE

Detroit vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Lincoln?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Lincoln?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Lincoln?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).