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Side-by-side comparison

Pontiac vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Pontiac, Michigan and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Pontiac is approximately 10% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,384/mo in Pontiac versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Pontiac vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pontiac · Studio
$991
Detroit · Studio
$991
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · 1 bedroom
$1,090
Detroit · 1 bedroom
$1,090
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · 2 bedroom
$1,378
Detroit · 2 bedroom
$1,378
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · 3 bedroom
$1,688
Detroit · 3 bedroom
$1,688
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same

Income & earnings in Pontiac vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pontiac · Household income
$95,296
Detroit · Household income
$59,521
Pontiac is $35,775 (60%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Individual earnings
$54,878
Detroit · Individual earnings
$39,979
Pontiac is $14,899 (37%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Per capita
$55,114
Detroit · Per capita
$33,956
Pontiac is $21,158 (62%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Pontiac vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Pontiac · Average home value
$320,400
Detroit · Average home value
$170,200
Pontiac is $150,200 (88%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Annual property tax
$4,241
Detroit · Annual property tax
$2,794
Pontiac is $1,447 (52%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Pontiac vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pontiac · Monthly electricity
$128
Detroit · Monthly electricity
$128
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · Monthly gas
$63
Detroit · Monthly gas
$63
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · Annual total
$2,292
Detroit · Annual total
$2,292
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same

Healthcare in Pontiac vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pontiac · Individual premium
$480
Detroit · Individual premium
$480
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · Family premium
$1,350
Detroit · Family premium
$1,350
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · Uninsured rate
3.9%
Detroit · Uninsured rate
5.7%
Detroit is 1.8% (46%) higher than Pontiac

Taxes in Pontiac vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Pontiac · State income tax
4.3%
Detroit · State income tax
4.3%
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · State sales tax
6.0%
Detroit · State sales tax
6.0%
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same
Pontiac · Combined sales tax
6.0%
Detroit · Combined sales tax
6.0%
Pontiac and Detroit are about the same

Transportation in Pontiac vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Pontiac · Average commute
26.0 min
Detroit · Average commute
25.0 min
Pontiac is 1.0 min (4%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Drive alone
73.4%
Detroit · Drive alone
73.0%
Pontiac is 0.4% (1%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Public transit
0.3%
Detroit · Public transit
2.2%
Detroit is 1.9% (633%) higher than Pontiac

Monthly cost estimates in Pontiac vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Pontiac · Single person
$3,384
Detroit · Single person
$3,088
Pontiac is $296 (10%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Couple
$5,059
Detroit · Couple
$4,346
Pontiac is $713 (16%) higher than Detroit
Pontiac · Family
$7,502
Detroit · Family
$6,789
Pontiac is $713 (11%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pontiac and Detroit.

Is Pontiac or Detroit more expensive?

Pontiac is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,384/mo in Pontiac, Michigan and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Pontiac and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pontiac, Michigan is $1,090/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is approximately $0 (0%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pontiac or Detroit?

Pontiac has the higher average household income. Pontiac households earn approximately $95,296 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Pontiac and Detroit

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

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.