Side-by-side comparison

Philadelphia vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Philadelphia is approximately 10% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,382/mo in Philadelphia versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Philadelphia vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Detroit · Studio

$991

Philadelphia is $381 (38%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Philadelphia is $422 (39%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Philadelphia is $424 (31%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Philadelphia is $483 (29%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Philadelphia vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Philadelphia is $1,177 (2%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Philadelphia is $2,499 (6%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Philadelphia is $3,713 (11%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Philadelphia vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Philadelphia is $62,200 (37%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Detroit is $842 (43%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Philadelphia vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Philadelphia is $15 (12%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $1 (2%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Philadelphia is $168 (7%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Philadelphia vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia and Detroit are about the same

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia and Detroit are about the same

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Philadelphia is 1.5% (26%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Philadelphia vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 1.2% (38%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia and Detroit are about the same

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 0.3% (6%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Philadelphia vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Philadelphia is 7.0 min (28%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 26.3% (56%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Philadelphia is 15.7% (714%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Philadelphia vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Philadelphia is $294 (10%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Philadelphia is $214 (5%) higher than Detroit

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Philadelphia is $270 (4%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Philadelphia and Detroit.

Is Philadelphia or Detroit more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $1,512/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Philadelphia is approximately $422 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Philadelphia or Detroit?

Philadelphia has the higher average household income. Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Philadelphia and Detroit

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

Philadelphia 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.