Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 56% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Fairfax vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Detroit · Studio

$991

Fairfax is $1,021 (103%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Fairfax is $966 (89%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Fairfax is $936 (68%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Fairfax is $1,205 (71%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Fairfax is $90,592 (152%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Fairfax is $31,593 (79%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Fairfax is $36,015 (106%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Fairfax vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Fairfax is $529,500 (311%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Fairfax is $4,278 (153%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Fairfax vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Fairfax is $25 (20%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $14 (29%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Fairfax is $132 (6%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Detroit are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Detroit are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Fairfax is 1.7% (30%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Fairfax vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Fairfax is 1.5% (35%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 0.7% (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 0.3% (4%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Fairfax is 4.5 min (18%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 15.1% (26%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Fairfax is 3.1% (141%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Fairfax is $1,720 (56%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Fairfax is $3,124 (72%) higher than Detroit

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Fairfax is $3,422 (50%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Detroit.

Is Fairfax or Detroit more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 56%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Fairfax is approximately $966 (89%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Detroit?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Fairfax and Detroit

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

Fairfax 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.