Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Atlanta is approximately 29% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,980/mo in Atlanta versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Atlanta vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Detroit · Studio

$991

Atlanta is $600 (61%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Atlanta is $563 (52%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Atlanta is $452 (33%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Atlanta is $517 (31%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Atlanta is $31,969 (54%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Atlanta is $16,290 (41%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Atlanta is $27,482 (81%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Atlanta vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Atlanta is $261,000 (153%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Atlanta is $1,053 (38%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Atlanta vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Atlanta is $35 (27%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $21 (50%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Atlanta is $168 (7%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Atlanta vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and Detroit are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and Detroit are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Atlanta is 4.0% (70%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Atlanta vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Atlanta is 1.2% (29%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 2.0% (50%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Atlanta is 1.4% (23%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Atlanta vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Atlanta is 3.0 min (12%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 14.1% (24%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Atlanta is 2.2% (100%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Atlanta is $892 (29%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Atlanta is $1,132 (26%) higher than Detroit

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Atlanta is $1,200 (18%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and Detroit.

Is Atlanta or Detroit more expensive?

Atlanta is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 29%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Atlanta is approximately $563 (52%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or Detroit?

Atlanta has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Atlanta and Detroit

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

Atlanta 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.