Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Meridian?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Meridian?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Detroit vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$990/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 60% higher in Meridian, ID. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$801

$1,523

+90% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$752

$1,540

+105% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$1,489

+49% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,893

+58% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$485,000

+532% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$98,686

+149% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$49,100

+6% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.4 yr

+2.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

49.7%

76.1%

+26.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

44.4%

+26.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

25.4 min

22.3 min

+3.1 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

150.3

+92% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

583.5

+87% 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

52.5°F

+2.2°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

11.7 in

+19.6 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

14.4

+37% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$11.33

+43% in Detroit, MI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

5.30%

+1.0 pp in ID

Detroit vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Meridian?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Meridian?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).