Side-by-side comparison

Raleigh vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Raleigh, North Carolina and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 24% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Raleigh vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Detroit · Studio

$991

Raleigh is $542 (55%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Raleigh is $502 (46%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Raleigh is $385 (28%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Raleigh is $504 (30%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Raleigh vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Raleigh is $42,242 (71%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Raleigh is $14,733 (37%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Raleigh is $18,993 (56%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Raleigh vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Raleigh is $252,600 (148%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Raleigh is $229 (8%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Raleigh vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Raleigh is $19 (15%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $23 (57%) higher than Raleigh

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Detroit is $48 (2%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Raleigh vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh and Detroit are about the same

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh and Detroit are about the same

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Raleigh is 2.5% (44%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Raleigh vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Raleigh is 0.3% (6%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 1.3% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Raleigh is 1.0% (17%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Raleigh vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Raleigh is 0.3 min (1%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 8.6% (13%) higher than Raleigh

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 1.5% (214%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Raleigh vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Raleigh is $739 (24%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Raleigh is $1,180 (27%) higher than Detroit

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Raleigh is $1,298 (19%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Raleigh and Detroit.

Is Raleigh or Detroit more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 24%.

What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,592/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Raleigh is approximately $502 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Raleigh or Detroit?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Raleigh and Detroit

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

Raleigh 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.