Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 3% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Houston vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Detroit · Studio

$991

Houston is $235 (24%) higher than Detroit

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Houston is $189 (17%) higher than Detroit

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Houston is $151 (11%) higher than Detroit

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Houston is $350 (21%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Houston vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Houston is $13,583 (23%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Houston is $1,759 (4%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Houston is $6,022 (18%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Houston vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Houston is $84,800 (50%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Houston is $1,588 (57%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Houston vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Houston is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $31 (97%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Houston is $96 (4%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Houston vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Detroit are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Detroit are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Houston is 15.5% (272%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Houston vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 4.3% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Houston is 2.2% (36%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Houston vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Houston is 4.0 min (16%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 0.6% (1%) higher than Houston

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.1% (5%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Houston is $97 (3%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Houston is $190 (4%) higher than Detroit

Houston · Family

$7,187

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Houston is $398 (6%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Detroit.

Is Houston or Detroit more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Houston is approximately $189 (17%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Detroit?

Houston has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Houston and Detroit

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

Houston 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.