Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 20% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Chicago vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Detroit · Studio

$991

Chicago is $467 (47%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Chicago is $470 (43%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Chicago is $383 (28%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Chicago is $574 (34%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Chicago is $22,276 (37%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Chicago is $9,319 (23%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Chicago is $13,845 (41%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Chicago vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Chicago is $135,000 (79%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Chicago is $3,259 (117%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Chicago vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Detroit is $12 (10%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $2 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Detroit is $168 (8%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Detroit are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Detroit are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Chicago is 3.3% (58%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Chicago vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Chicago is 0.7% (16%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Chicago vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Chicago is 6.9 min (28%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 16.8% (30%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Chicago is 10.8% (491%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Chicago is $619 (20%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Chicago is $819 (19%) higher than Detroit

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Chicago is $1,022 (15%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Detroit.

Is Chicago or Detroit more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago is approximately $470 (43%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Detroit?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Chicago and Detroit

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Detroit profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.