Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Phoenix is approximately 20% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,694/mo in Phoenix versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Phoenix vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Detroit · Studio

$991

Phoenix is $539 (54%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Phoenix is $589 (54%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Phoenix is $572 (42%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Phoenix is $936 (55%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Phoenix is $25,997 (44%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Phoenix is $6,661 (17%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Phoenix is $10,254 (30%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Phoenix vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Phoenix is $244,500 (144%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Detroit is $829 (42%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Phoenix is $22 (17%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $24 (62%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Detroit is $24 (1%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and Detroit are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and Detroit are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Phoenix is 5.0% (88%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Phoenix vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 1.8% (70%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 0.4% (7%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Phoenix is 2.4% (39%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Phoenix vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Phoenix is 1.1 min (4%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 6.4% (10%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.9% (69%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Phoenix is $606 (20%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Phoenix is $928 (21%) higher than Detroit

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Phoenix is $1,309 (19%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and Detroit.

Is Phoenix or Detroit more expensive?

Phoenix is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Phoenix is approximately $589 (54%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or Detroit?

Phoenix has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Phoenix and Detroit

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

Phoenix 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.