Detroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Philadelphia, PA is 2.2% more expensive than Detroit, MI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Detroit works out to about $76,700 in Philadelphia, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 19.5% more in Philadelphia. Goods are 2.0% lower and other services 0.4% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,903 a month in Philadelphia and $1,514 in Detroit, $4,668 a year more in Philadelphia (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $386,000 in Philadelphia and $264,000 in Detroit.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Philadelphia was 5.3% more expensive than Detroit.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 19.5% higher in Philadelphia than in Detroit
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
All items Detroit, MI: 100.3 Philadelphia, PA: 102.6
Goods Detroit, MI: 98.8 Philadelphia, PA: 96.8
Housing (rents) Detroit, MI: 94.7 Philadelphia, PA: 113.1
Utilities Detroit, MI: 107.0 Philadelphia, PA: 114.4
Other services Detroit, MI: 102.6 Philadelphia, PA: 103.1
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.3 | 102.6 |
| Goods | 98.8 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 94.7 | 113.1 |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 114.4 |
| Other services | 102.6 | 103.1 |
| Category | Detroit | Philadelphia | Philadelphia vs Detroit |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.3 | 102.6 | +2.2% |
| Goods | 98.8 | 96.8 | −2.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 94.7 | 113.1 | +19.5% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 114.4 | +6.9% |
| Other services | 102.6 | 103.1 | +0.4% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,514 | $1,903 | +25.7% |
| Typical home value | $264,000 | $386,000 | +46.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Detroit | $75,000 | $76,700 | +2.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Detroit and Philadelphia has narrowed since 2008: 5.8 points then, 2.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.6 | 106.4 |
| 2009 | 100.2 | 107.6 |
| 2010 | 99.4 | 106.3 |
| 2011 | 98.5 | 105.3 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 103.9 |
| 2013 | 98.4 | 101.8 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 102.4 |
| 2015 | 96.9 | 102.2 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 102.5 |
| 2017 | 95.8 | 104.0 |
| 2018 | 97.3 | 103.2 |
| 2019 | 98.4 | 103.7 |
| 2020 | 98.3 | 102.3 |
| 2021 | 96.4 | 99.0 |
| 2022 | 96.3 | 100.7 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 102.4 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 102.6 |
Goods
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.9 | 108.5 |
| 2009 | 102.1 | 107.4 |
| 2010 | 100.4 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 101.0 | 106.3 |
| 2012 | 99.5 | 103.0 |
| 2013 | 100.0 | 98.6 |
| 2014 | 99.5 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 98.2 | 100.6 |
| 2016 | 99.1 | 102.6 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 100.1 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 96.6 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 94.6 |
| 2021 | 95.1 | 94.3 |
| 2022 | 94.7 | 95.2 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 98.8 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.4 | 116.1 |
| 2009 | 98.0 | 120.6 |
| 2010 | 100.3 | 119.1 |
| 2011 | 95.3 | 120.0 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 119.5 |
| 2013 | 95.7 | 118.0 |
| 2014 | 95.7 | 119.3 |
| 2015 | 93.5 | 117.8 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 117.4 |
| 2017 | 95.2 | 117.5 |
| 2018 | 94.4 | 117.5 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 113.3 |
| 2020 | 95.7 | 115.2 |
| 2021 | 90.3 | 114.7 |
| 2022 | 94.2 | 115.8 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 117.8 |
| 2024 | 94.7 | 113.1 |
Utilities
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.9 | 108.6 |
| 2009 | 107.7 | 113.9 |
| 2010 | 107.2 | 117.3 |
| 2011 | 108.2 | 121.3 |
| 2012 | 109.7 | 120.2 |
| 2013 | 109.6 | 120.0 |
| 2014 | 103.5 | 105.8 |
| 2015 | 103.9 | 102.4 |
| 2016 | 104.3 | 102.6 |
| 2017 | 105.7 | 104.8 |
| 2018 | 104.8 | 106.4 |
| 2019 | 100.7 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 106.0 | 106.1 |
| 2021 | 102.1 | 101.1 |
| 2022 | 101.9 | 108.1 |
| 2023 | 106.8 | 119.4 |
| 2024 | 107.0 | 114.4 |
Other services
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.2 | 102.5 |
| 2009 | 99.2 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 103.9 |
| 2011 | 97.4 | 100.4 |
| 2012 | 96.6 | 99.9 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 99.2 |
| 2014 | 98.8 | 101.2 |
| 2015 | 96.6 | 99.4 |
| 2016 | 94.9 | 99.0 |
| 2017 | 93.4 | 103.7 |
| 2018 | 96.0 | 102.5 |
| 2019 | 100.0 | 105.5 |
| 2020 | 98.5 | 104.0 |
| 2021 | 98.9 | 98.3 |
| 2022 | 97.7 | 100.5 |
| 2023 | 99.5 | 100.6 |
| 2024 | 102.6 | 103.1 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,903 in Philadelphia vs $1,514 in Detroit
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $854 | $1,200 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $871 | $1,215 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $879 | $1,217 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $875 | $1,209 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $882 | $1,228 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $899 | $1,251 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $907 | $1,248 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $905 | $1,249 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $918 | $1,271 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $948 | $1,286 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $953 | $1,286 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $952 | $1,287 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $964 | $1,309 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $986 | $1,331 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $994 | $1,328 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $987 | $1,334 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,007 | $1,359 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,032 | $1,385 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,033 | $1,384 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,032 | $1,384 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,040 | $1,412 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,066 | $1,420 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,100 | $1,424 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,112 | $1,425 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,143 | $1,451 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,187 | $1,508 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,230 | $1,549 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,246 | $1,580 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,265 | $1,615 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,313 | $1,658 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,324 | $1,672 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,310 | $1,661 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,320 | $1,683 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,342 | $1,711 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,354 | $1,726 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,354 | $1,722 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,371 | $1,743 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,401 | $1,773 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,415 | $1,782 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,421 | $1,789 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,435 | $1,805 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,450 | $1,824 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,453 | $1,842 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,457 | $1,844 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,468 | $1,864 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,496 | $1,889 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,514 | $1,903 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $386,000 in Philadelphia vs $264,000 in Detroit
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $124K | $208K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $128K | $209K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $131K | $212K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $133K | $214K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $136K | $215K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $139K | $217K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $141K | $219K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $144K | $222K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $148K | $224K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $152K | $227K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $154K | $228K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $157K | $232K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $162K | $235K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $165K | $237K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $168K | $238K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $169K | $240K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $174K | $243K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $177K | $246K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $178K | $247K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $179K | $250K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $182K | $256K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $184K | $260K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $186K | $263K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $194K | $275K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $204K | $287K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $214K | $298K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $217K | $302K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $217K | $303K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $226K | $316K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $236K | $330K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $234K | $331K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $231K | $331K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $231K | $332K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $235K | $340K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $240K | $347K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $242K | $352K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $245K | $357K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $250K | $363K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $251K | $365K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $253K | $368K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $256K | $371K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $257K | $374K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $260K | $377K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $262K | $379K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $264K | $381K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $264K | $383K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $264K | $386K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Detroit, MI
- Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA
- Reverse: moving from Philadelphia to Detroit
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.