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Tampa vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Detroit is 15% cheaper than Tampa overall.Tampa has a cost of living index of 104 vs Detroit at 88 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Tampa costs 34% more.

Pierre
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Tampa
FL
104
COLI index
VS
Detroit
MI
88
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryTampaDetroitDifference
Overall COLI10488-15%
Housing12885-34%
Groceries105101-4%
Transport110101-8%
Healthcare103102-1%
Utilities108112+4%

Median 1BR Rent

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

Median Home Price

Tampa
$360,000
Detroit
$90,000

Median Household Income

Tampa
$57,906
Detroit
$34,762

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit is cheaper to live in overall. Tampa has a cost of living index of 104 while Detroit has an index of 88, where 100 represents the US national average. Detroit is 15% cheaper than Tampa overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Tampa is $1,750 per month compared to $1,100 in Detroit. The median home price in Tampa is $360,000 versus $90,000 in Detroit. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Tampa has a cost of living index of 104 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 Tampa, multiply by 0.85. For example a $75,000 salary in Tampa is equivalent to approximately $63,462 in Detroit.

Tampa has a median household income of $57,906 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 Tampa to Detroit is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Detroit is 15% 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.