Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Fresno is approximately 4% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,226/mo in Fresno versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Fresno vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Detroit · Studio

$991

Fresno is $219 (22%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Fresno is $127 (12%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Fresno is $127 (9%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Fresno is $421 (25%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Fresno is $11,913 (20%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Detroit is $1,933 (5%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Detroit is $2,179 (7%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Fresno is $192,400 (113%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Detroit is $90 (3%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Fresno is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $13 (26%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Fresno is $312 (14%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Fresno vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Detroit are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Detroit are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Fresno is 1.3% (23%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Fresno vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Fresno is 9.1% (213%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Fresno is 1.3% (21%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Fresno is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Fresno vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Detroit is 1.6 min (7%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Fresno is 1.7% (2%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 1.3% (144%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Fresno is $138 (4%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Fresno is $545 (13%) higher than Detroit

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Fresno is $913 (13%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Detroit.

Is Fresno or Detroit more expensive?

Fresno is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Fresno is approximately $127 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Detroit?

Fresno has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Fresno and Detroit

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

Fresno 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.