Side-by-side comparison

Cleveland vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Detroit is approximately 5% more expensive than Cleveland. A single person needs about $3,088/mo in Detroit versus $2,929/mo in Cleveland.

Rent in Cleveland vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cleveland · Studio

$881

Detroit · Studio

$991

Detroit is $110 (12%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 1 bedroom

$995

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Detroit is $95 (10%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 2 bedroom

$1,208

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Detroit is $170 (14%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 3 bedroom

$1,553

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Detroit is $135 (9%) higher than Cleveland

Income & earnings in Cleveland vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cleveland · Household income

$62,823

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Cleveland is $3,302 (6%) higher than Detroit

Cleveland · Individual earnings

$42,589

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Cleveland is $2,610 (7%) higher than Detroit

Cleveland · Per capita

$41,559

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Cleveland is $7,603 (22%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Cleveland vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Cleveland · Average home value

$183,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Cleveland is $13,000 (8%) higher than Detroit

Cleveland · Annual property tax

$3,819

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Cleveland is $1,025 (37%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Cleveland vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cleveland · Monthly electricity

$131

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Cleveland is $3 (2%) higher than Detroit

Cleveland · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Cleveland and Detroit are about the same

Cleveland · Annual total

$2,328

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Cleveland is $36 (2%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Cleveland vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cleveland · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Cleveland and Detroit are about the same

Cleveland · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Cleveland and Detroit are about the same

Cleveland · Uninsured rate

5.5%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 0.2% (4%) higher than Cleveland

Taxes in Cleveland vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Cleveland · State income tax

3.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 0.8% (21%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · State sales tax

5.8%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 0.3% (4%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Cleveland is 1.2% (21%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Cleveland vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Cleveland · Average commute

23.6 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Detroit is 1.4 min (6%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Drive alone

71.7%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 1.3% (2%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Public transit

3.3%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Cleveland is 1.1% (50%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Cleveland vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Cleveland · Single person

$2,929

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Detroit is $159 (5%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Couple

$4,097

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Detroit is $249 (6%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Family

$6,571

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Detroit is $218 (3%) higher than Cleveland

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cleveland and Detroit.

Is Cleveland or Detroit more expensive?

Detroit is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,929/mo in Cleveland, Ohio and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 5%.

What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cleveland, Ohio is $995/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is approximately $95 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cleveland or Detroit?

Cleveland has the higher average household income. Cleveland households earn approximately $62,823 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Cleveland and Detroit

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

Cleveland 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.