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Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Sacramento, California and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 27% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Sacramento vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio
$1,679
Detroit · Studio
$991
Sacramento is $688 (69%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · 1 bedroom
$1,777
Detroit · 1 bedroom
$1,090
Sacramento is $687 (63%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · 2 bedroom
$2,206
Detroit · 2 bedroom
$1,378
Sacramento is $828 (60%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · 3 bedroom
$2,992
Detroit · 3 bedroom
$1,688
Sacramento is $1,304 (77%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income
$88,724
Detroit · Household income
$59,521
Sacramento is $29,203 (49%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Individual earnings
$47,214
Detroit · Individual earnings
$39,979
Sacramento is $7,235 (18%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Per capita
$41,989
Detroit · Per capita
$33,956
Sacramento is $8,033 (24%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Sacramento vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value
$498,900
Detroit · Average home value
$170,200
Sacramento is $328,700 (193%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Annual property tax
$3,768
Detroit · Annual property tax
$2,794
Sacramento is $974 (35%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Sacramento vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity
$167
Detroit · Monthly electricity
$128
Sacramento is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Monthly gas
$50
Detroit · Monthly gas
$63
Detroit is $13 (26%) higher than Sacramento
Sacramento · Annual total
$2,604
Detroit · Annual total
$2,292
Sacramento is $312 (14%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Sacramento vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium
$480
Detroit · Individual premium
$480
Sacramento and Detroit are about the same
Sacramento · Family premium
$1,350
Detroit · Family premium
$1,350
Sacramento and Detroit are about the same
Sacramento · Uninsured rate
5.1%
Detroit · Uninsured rate
5.7%
Detroit is 0.6% (12%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Sacramento vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax
13.3%
Detroit · State income tax
4.3%
Sacramento is 9.1% (213%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · State sales tax
7.3%
Detroit · State sales tax
6.0%
Sacramento is 1.3% (21%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Detroit · Combined sales tax
6.0%
Sacramento is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Sacramento vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute
27.7 min
Detroit · Average commute
25.0 min
Sacramento is 2.7 min (11%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Drive alone
67.6%
Detroit · Drive alone
73.0%
Detroit is 5.4% (8%) higher than Sacramento
Sacramento · Public transit
1.5%
Detroit · Public transit
2.2%
Detroit is 0.7% (47%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person
$3,910
Detroit · Single person
$3,088
Sacramento is $822 (27%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Couple
$5,939
Detroit · Couple
$4,346
Sacramento is $1,593 (37%) higher than Detroit
Sacramento · Family
$8,932
Detroit · Family
$6,789
Sacramento is $2,143 (32%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and Detroit.

Is Sacramento or Detroit more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 27%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Sacramento is approximately $687 (63%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or Detroit?

Sacramento has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Sacramento 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.