Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 49% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Seattle vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Detroit · Studio

$991

Seattle is $1,247 (126%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Seattle is $1,203 (110%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Seattle is $1,293 (94%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Seattle is $1,833 (109%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Seattle is $62,627 (105%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Seattle is $27,162 (68%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Seattle is $37,106 (109%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Seattle vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Seattle is $641,000 (377%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Seattle is $3,991 (143%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Seattle vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Detroit is $19 (17%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $15 (31%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Detroit is $408 (22%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Detroit are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Detroit are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 0.5% (10%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 4.3% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Seattle is 0.5% (8%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Seattle is 4.2% (71%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Seattle vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Seattle is 3.1 min (12%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 21.2% (41%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Seattle is 5.8% (264%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Seattle is $1,500 (49%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Seattle is $2,078 (48%) higher than Detroit

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Seattle is $2,651 (39%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Detroit.

Is Seattle or Detroit more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 49%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Seattle is approximately $1,203 (110%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Detroit?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Seattle and Detroit

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

Seattle 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.