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Los Angeles vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Los Angeles, California and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 34% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Los Angeles vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Detroit · Studio
$991
Los Angeles is $865 (87%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Detroit · 1 bedroom
$1,090
Los Angeles is $991 (91%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Detroit · 2 bedroom
$1,378
Los Angeles is $1,247 (90%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Detroit · 3 bedroom
$1,688
Los Angeles is $1,647 (98%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Los Angeles vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Detroit · Household income
$59,521
Los Angeles is $28,239 (47%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Detroit · Individual earnings
$39,979
Los Angeles is $3,498 (9%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Detroit · Per capita
$33,956
Los Angeles is $10,363 (31%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Los Angeles vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Detroit · Average home value
$170,200
Los Angeles is $613,100 (360%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Detroit · Annual property tax
$2,794
Los Angeles is $2,644 (95%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Los Angeles vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Detroit · Monthly electricity
$128
Los Angeles is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Detroit · Monthly gas
$63
Detroit is $13 (26%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Detroit · Annual total
$2,292
Los Angeles is $312 (14%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Los Angeles vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Detroit · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles and Detroit are about the same
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Detroit · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles and Detroit are about the same
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Detroit · Uninsured rate
5.7%
Los Angeles is 3.0% (53%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Los Angeles vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Detroit · State income tax
4.3%
Los Angeles is 9.1% (213%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Detroit · State sales tax
6.0%
Los Angeles is 1.3% (21%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Detroit · Combined sales tax
6.0%
Los Angeles is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Los Angeles vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Detroit · Average commute
25.0 min
Los Angeles is 5.8 min (23%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Detroit · Drive alone
73.0%
Detroit is 6.6% (10%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Detroit · Public transit
2.2%
Los Angeles is 2.0% (91%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Los Angeles vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Detroit · Single person
$3,088
Los Angeles is $1,047 (34%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Detroit · Couple
$4,346
Los Angeles is $1,988 (46%) higher than Detroit
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Detroit · Family
$6,789
Los Angeles is $2,462 (36%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Los Angeles and Detroit.

Is Los Angeles or Detroit more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 34%.

What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Los Angeles, California is $2,081/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Los Angeles is approximately $991 (91%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Los Angeles or Detroit?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Los Angeles and Detroit

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

Los Angeles 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.