Cost of living in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 41% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,054 prices entered by 199 different people.
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Food | - 24% | |||
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Food in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 24% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 | $23 | - 4% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 | $13 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.56 | $7 | - 35% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.00 | $1.51 | - 34% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.66 | $6 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.36 | $6 | - 48% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 | $9 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.14 | $5.07 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.98 | $2.64 | - 25% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.05 | $4.95 | - 38% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 | $23 | - 39% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.39 | $3.10 | - 23% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.10 | $3.70 | - 16% | |
Housing | - 50% | |||
Housing in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 50% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,544 | $5,541 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,267 | $3,425 | - 63% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $227 | $178 | + 28% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,298 | $4,018 | - 68% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $891 | $2,364 | - 62% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 | $118 | + 19% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $51 | $57 | - 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | $264 | $353 | - 25% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $184 | $140 | + 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $20 | $16 | + 24% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $29 | $25 | + 18% | |
Clothes | - 22% | |||
Clothes in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 22% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 | $73 | - 28% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $36 | $54 | - 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $128 | $96 | + 34% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $139 | $159 | - 12% | |
Transportation | - 51% | |||
Transportation in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 51% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,672 | $28,495 | + 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.97 | $1.08 | - 11% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $45 | $130 | - 65% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $37 | - 49% | |
Personal Care | - 19% | |||
Personal Care in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 19% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 | $8 | + 22% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 | $20 | - 17% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $106 | $109 | - 4% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $10 | - 25% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.80 | $5.04 | - 5% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.56 | $8 | - 29% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.65 | $8 | - 53% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.89 | $2.30 | - 18% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 | $35 | - 40% | |
Entertainment | - 27% | |||
Entertainment in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 27% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Detroit, Michigan | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $58 | $74 | - 21% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $28 | $36 | - 20% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $146 | $264 | - 45% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $103 | $142 | - 28% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 | $19 | - 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 | $6 | + 6% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.54 | $9 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $410 | $580 | - 29% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.33 | $0.18 | + 81% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $35 | $132 | - 74% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 | $16 | - 37% | |
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TOTAL | - 41% |

These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $17,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $10,064 in Detroit, Michigan.
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