Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

vs
Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 49% higher in Madison, WI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Madison, WI

Rent

Studio
$801
$1,018
+27% in Madison, WI
1 Bedroom
$752
$1,219
+62% in Madison, WI
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,432
+43% in Madison, WI
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,766
+48% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$346,900
+352% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$76,983
+95% in Madison, WI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$58,080
+12% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
31.8 yr
+3.3 yr in Detroit, MI
Homeownership
49.7%
46.6%
+3.1 pp in Detroit, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
59.2%
+41.6 pp in Madison, WI
Avg Commute
25.4 min
19.4 min
+6.0 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
259.5
+85% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
1,884.5
+57% 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
46.5°F
+3.8°F in Detroit, MI
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
34.5 in
+3.1 in in Madison, WI

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
22.0
19.7
+10% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.07
$11.79
+16% 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 / WI)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
7.65%
+3.4 pp in WI

Detroit vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Madison?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Madison?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Madison?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).