Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

vs
Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 52% higher in Raleigh, NC. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio
$801
$1,301
+62% in Raleigh, NC
1 Bedroom
$752
$1,323
+76% in Raleigh, NC
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,462
+46% in Raleigh, NC
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,715
+44% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$377,800
+392% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$82,424
+108% in Raleigh, NC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$51,990
+0% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
34.7 yr
+0.4 yr in Detroit, MI
Homeownership
49.7%
51.2%
+1.5 pp in Raleigh, NC
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
52.9%
+35.3 pp in Raleigh, NC
Avg Commute
25.4 min
23.4 min
+2.0 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
491.5
+72% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
2,838.4
+35% 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
60.6°F
+10.3°F in Raleigh, NC
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
46.0 in
+14.7 in in Raleigh, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.86/gal
+2% in Detroit, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs GoRaleigh (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
22.0
15.1
+31% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.07
$27.56
+96% in Raleigh, NC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Detroit, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Raleigh, NC
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Detroit, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Detroit, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Detroit, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / NC)
6%
4.75%
+1.3 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
3.99%
+0.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Raleigh?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Raleigh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Raleigh?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).