Philadelphia, PA vs Detroit, MI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Detroit, MI is 2.2% less expensive than Philadelphia, PA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Philadelphia works out to about $73,400 in Detroit, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 16.3% less in Detroit. Goods are 2.0% higher and other services 0.4% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,514 a month in Detroit and $1,903 in Philadelphia, $4,668 a year less in Detroit (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $264,000 in Detroit and $386,000 in Philadelphia.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Detroit was 5.1% less expensive than Philadelphia.
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: 16.3% lower in Detroit than in Philadelphia
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
All items Philadelphia, PA: 102.6 Detroit, MI: 100.3
Goods Philadelphia, PA: 96.8 Detroit, MI: 98.8
Housing (rents) Philadelphia, PA: 113.1 Detroit, MI: 94.7
Utilities Philadelphia, PA: 114.4 Detroit, MI: 107.0
Other services Philadelphia, PA: 103.1 Detroit, MI: 102.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 100.3 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 98.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 94.7 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 107.0 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 102.6 |
| Category | Philadelphia | Detroit | Detroit vs Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 100.3 | −2.2% |
| Goods | 96.8 | 98.8 | +2.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 94.7 | −16.3% |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 107.0 | −6.5% |
| Other services | 103.1 | 102.6 | −0.4% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,903 | $1,514 | −20.4% |
| Typical home value | $386,000 | $264,000 | −31.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Philadelphia | $75,000 | $73,400 | −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 Philadelphia and Detroit has narrowed since 2008: 5.8 points then, 2.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.4 | 100.6 |
| 2009 | 107.6 | 100.2 |
| 2010 | 106.3 | 99.4 |
| 2011 | 105.3 | 98.5 |
| 2012 | 103.9 | 97.9 |
| 2013 | 101.8 | 98.4 |
| 2014 | 102.4 | 98.7 |
| 2015 | 102.2 | 96.9 |
| 2016 | 102.5 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 104.0 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 103.2 | 97.3 |
| 2019 | 103.7 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 102.3 | 98.3 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 96.4 |
| 2022 | 100.7 | 96.3 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 102.6 | 100.3 |
Goods
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.5 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 107.4 | 102.1 |
| 2010 | 104.1 | 100.4 |
| 2011 | 106.3 | 101.0 |
| 2012 | 103.0 | 99.5 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 99.5 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 98.2 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 99.5 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 100.1 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 98.7 |
| 2021 | 94.3 | 95.1 |
| 2022 | 95.2 | 94.7 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 96.8 | 98.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116.1 | 103.4 |
| 2009 | 120.6 | 98.0 |
| 2010 | 119.1 | 100.3 |
| 2011 | 120.0 | 95.3 |
| 2012 | 119.5 | 96.4 |
| 2013 | 118.0 | 95.7 |
| 2014 | 119.3 | 95.7 |
| 2015 | 117.8 | 93.5 |
| 2016 | 117.4 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 117.5 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 117.5 | 94.4 |
| 2019 | 113.3 | 96.9 |
| 2020 | 115.2 | 95.7 |
| 2021 | 114.7 | 90.3 |
| 2022 | 115.8 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 117.8 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 113.1 | 94.7 |
Utilities
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.6 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 113.9 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 117.3 | 107.2 |
| 2011 | 121.3 | 108.2 |
| 2012 | 120.2 | 109.7 |
| 2013 | 120.0 | 109.6 |
| 2014 | 105.8 | 103.5 |
| 2015 | 102.4 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 104.3 |
| 2017 | 104.8 | 105.7 |
| 2018 | 106.4 | 104.8 |
| 2019 | 108.6 | 100.7 |
| 2020 | 106.1 | 106.0 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 102.1 |
| 2022 | 108.1 | 101.9 |
| 2023 | 119.4 | 106.8 |
| 2024 | 114.4 | 107.0 |
Other services
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.5 | 100.2 |
| 2009 | 104.0 | 99.2 |
| 2010 | 103.9 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 100.4 | 97.4 |
| 2012 | 99.9 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 99.2 | 97.5 |
| 2014 | 101.2 | 98.8 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 96.6 |
| 2016 | 99.0 | 94.9 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 102.5 | 96.0 |
| 2019 | 105.5 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 98.5 |
| 2021 | 98.3 | 98.9 |
| 2022 | 100.5 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 100.6 | 99.5 |
| 2024 | 103.1 | 102.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,514 in Detroit vs $1,903 in Philadelphia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,200 | $854 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,215 | $871 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,217 | $879 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $875 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,228 | $882 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,251 | $899 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,248 | $907 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,249 | $905 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,271 | $918 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,286 | $948 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,286 | $953 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,287 | $952 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,309 | $964 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,331 | $986 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,328 | $994 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,334 | $987 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,359 | $1,007 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,385 | $1,032 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,384 | $1,033 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,384 | $1,032 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,412 | $1,040 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,420 | $1,066 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,424 | $1,100 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,425 | $1,112 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,451 | $1,143 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,508 | $1,187 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,549 | $1,230 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,580 | $1,246 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,615 | $1,265 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,658 | $1,313 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,672 | $1,324 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,661 | $1,310 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,683 | $1,320 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,711 | $1,342 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,726 | $1,354 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,722 | $1,354 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,743 | $1,371 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,773 | $1,401 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,782 | $1,415 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,789 | $1,421 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,805 | $1,435 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,824 | $1,450 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,842 | $1,453 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,844 | $1,457 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,864 | $1,468 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,889 | $1,496 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,903 | $1,514 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $264,000 in Detroit vs $386,000 in Philadelphia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Detroit, MI
- 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
| Philadelphia, PA | Detroit, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $208K | $124K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $209K | $128K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $212K | $131K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $214K | $133K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $215K | $136K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $217K | $139K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $219K | $141K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $222K | $144K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $224K | $148K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $227K | $152K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $228K | $154K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $232K | $157K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $235K | $162K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $237K | $165K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $238K | $168K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $169K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $174K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $246K | $177K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $247K | $178K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $179K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $256K | $182K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $260K | $184K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $186K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $275K | $194K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $287K | $204K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $298K | $214K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $302K | $217K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $303K | $217K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $316K | $226K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $330K | $236K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $331K | $234K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $331K | $231K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $332K | $231K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $340K | $235K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $347K | $240K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $352K | $242K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $357K | $245K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $363K | $250K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $365K | $251K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $368K | $253K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $371K | $256K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $374K | $257K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $377K | $260K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $379K | $262K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $381K | $264K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $383K | $264K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $386K | $264K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA
- Cost of living in Detroit, MI
- Reverse: moving from Detroit to Philadelphia
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.