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Denver vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Detroit is 25% cheaper than Denver overall.Denver has a cost of living index of 118 vs Detroit at 88 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Denver costs 49% more.

Pierre
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Denver
CO
118
COLI index
VS
Detroit
MI
88
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryDenverDetroitDifference
Overall COLI11888-25%
Housing16885-49%
Groceries105101-4%
Transport110101-8%
Healthcare106102-4%
Utilities96112+17%

Median 1BR Rent

Denver
$1,750/mo
Detroit
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Denver
$545,000
Detroit
$90,000

Median Household Income

Denver
$72,173
Detroit
$34,762

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit is cheaper to live in overall. Denver has a cost of living index of 118 while Detroit has an index of 88, where 100 represents the US national average. Detroit is 25% cheaper than Denver overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,750 per month compared to $1,100 in Detroit. The median home price in Denver is $545,000 versus $90,000 in Detroit. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Denver has a cost of living index of 118 and Detroit has an index of 88, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Denver, multiply by 0.75. For example a $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to approximately $55,932 in Detroit.

Denver has a median household income of $72,173 per year versus $34,762 in Detroit. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Denver to Detroit is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Detroit is 25% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.