Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 42% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Cambridge vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Detroit · Studio

$991

Cambridge is $678 (68%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Cambridge is $655 (60%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Cambridge is $891 (65%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Cambridge is $816 (48%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Cambridge is $67,258 (113%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Cambridge is $26,145 (65%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Cambridge is $33,515 (99%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Cambridge vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Cambridge is $517,000 (304%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Cambridge is $4,446 (159%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Cambridge vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Cambridge is $44 (34%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Cambridge is $11 (17%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Cambridge is $660 (29%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Cambridge vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and Detroit are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and Detroit are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 3.3% (138%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Cambridge is 0.8% (18%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Cambridge is 0.3% (4%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Cambridge is 0.3% (4%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Cambridge vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Cambridge is 5.0 min (20%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 17.0% (30%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Cambridge is 5.8% (264%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Cambridge is $1,303 (42%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Cambridge is $2,436 (56%) higher than Detroit

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Cambridge is $2,428 (36%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and Detroit.

Is Cambridge or Detroit more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Cambridge is approximately $655 (60%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or Detroit?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Cambridge and Detroit

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

Cambridge 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.