Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Spokane?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Spokane?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Detroit vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 40% higher in Spokane, WA. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$801

$884

+10% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$752

$903

+20% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$1,192

+19% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,442

+21% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$326,200

+325% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$65,745

+66% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$54,660

+5% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.2 yr

+2.1 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

49.7%

58.3%

+8.6 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

32.6%

+15.0 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

25.4 min

21.2 min

+4.2 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

683.6

+62% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

4,931.8

+12% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+1.4°F in Detroit, MI

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

17.8 in

+13.5 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

22.0

14.9

+32% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.07

$20.41

+45% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

None

+4.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Spokane?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Spokane?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).