Side-by-side comparison

West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for West Palm Beach, Florida and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

West Palm Beach is approximately 22% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

West Palm Beach · Studio

$1,639

Detroit · Studio

$991

West Palm Beach is $648 (65%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom

$1,830

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

West Palm Beach is $740 (68%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom

$2,187

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

West Palm Beach is $809 (59%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom

$2,856

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

West Palm Beach is $1,168 (69%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

West Palm Beach · Household income

$81,115

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

West Palm Beach is $21,594 (36%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Individual earnings

$42,309

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

West Palm Beach is $2,330 (6%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Per capita

$50,998

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

West Palm Beach is $17,042 (50%) higher than Detroit

Home values in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

West Palm Beach · Average home value

$407,300

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

West Palm Beach is $237,100 (139%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Annual property tax

$3,600

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

West Palm Beach is $806 (29%) higher than Detroit

Energy in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity

$176

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

West Palm Beach is $48 (38%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Monthly gas

$21

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $42 (200%) higher than West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach · Annual total

$2,364

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

West Palm Beach is $72 (3%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

West Palm Beach · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

West Palm Beach and Detroit are about the same

West Palm Beach · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

West Palm Beach and Detroit are about the same

West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate

13.2%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

West Palm Beach is 7.5% (132%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

West Palm Beach · State income tax

0.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 4.3% higher than West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

West Palm Beach and Detroit are about the same

West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

West Palm Beach is 1.0% (17%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

West Palm Beach · Average commute

26.4 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

West Palm Beach is 1.4 min (6%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Drive alone

71.4%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 1.6% (2%) higher than West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach · Public transit

1.4%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.8% (57%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in West Palm Beach vs Detroit

All categories combined.

West Palm Beach · Single person

$3,761

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

West Palm Beach is $673 (22%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Couple

$5,353

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

West Palm Beach is $1,007 (23%) higher than Detroit

West Palm Beach · Family

$8,180

Detroit · Family

$6,789

West Palm Beach is $1,391 (20%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing West Palm Beach and Detroit.

Is West Palm Beach or Detroit more expensive?

West Palm Beach is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in West Palm Beach, Florida is $1,830/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. West Palm Beach is approximately $740 (68%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, West Palm Beach or Detroit?

West Palm Beach has the higher average household income. West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on West Palm Beach and Detroit

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

West Palm Beach 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.