Cost of living in the Detroit Metro Area
6 counties across MI. Population: 4,367,620.
Last updated May 22, 2026
Rent in the Detroit Metro Area
Average rent across the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area, weighted by county population.
Source: HUD FMR + ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Income and earnings in the Detroit Metro Area
Earnings data averaged across all 6 counties.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Home values in the Detroit Metro Area
Average home values and annual property tax across the metro.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Energy costs in the Detroit Metro Area
Residential electricity and natural gas estimates.
Source: EIA (state averages applied per county, weighted)
All 6 counties in the Detroit Metro Area
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area includes 6 counties. Sorted by population.
- Detroit MI$3,088/moPop1,773,767 Rent$1,090/mo Income$59,521/yrDetroit MI 1,773,767 $1,090/mo $59,521/yr $3,088/mo
- Pontiac MI$3,384/moPop1,272,294 Rent$1,090/mo Income$95,296/yrPontiac MI 1,272,294 $1,090/mo $95,296/yr $3,384/mo
- Sterling Heights MI$3,156/moPop877,624 Rent$1,090/mo Income$76,399/yrSterling Heights MI 877,624 $1,090/mo $76,399/yr $3,156/mo
- Livingston County MI$3,466/moPop195,143 Rent$1,216/mo Income$101,315/yrLivingston County MI 195,143 $1,216/mo $101,315/yr $3,466/mo
- St. Clair County MI$3,089/moPop160,089 Rent$1,090/mo Income$69,349/yrSt. Clair County MI 160,089 $1,090/mo $69,349/yr $3,089/mo
- Lapeer County MI$3,132/moPop88,703 Rent$1,090/mo Income$76,228/yrLapeer County MI 88,703 $1,090/mo $76,228/yr $3,132/mo
Compare counties in the Detroit Metro Area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up across the metro.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about the Detroit Metro Area
Common questions about cost of living in the metro area.
What is the cost of living in the Detroit Metro Area?
The estimated average cost of living in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area is approximately $3,206 per month for a single person. This is a population-weighted average across the 6 counties that make up the metro area.
What is the average rent in the Detroit Metro Area?
The average one-bedroom rent across the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area is $1,096 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data weighted by county population.
What is the cheapest county in the Detroit Metro Area?
Wayne County, MI is the most affordable county in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area at approximately $3,088 per month for a single person.
What is the most expensive county in the Detroit Metro Area?
Livingston County, MI is the most expensive county in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area at approximately $3,466 per month for a single person.
How many counties are in the Detroit Metro Area?
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area covers 6 counties. The five largest by population are Detroit, Pontiac, Sterling Heights, Livingston County, St. Clair County.
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About this data
All figures come from official U.S. government sources. Metro-area averages are population-weighted across constituent counties using Census ACS population estimates.