Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
45% cheaper
Detroit is 45% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $41,204 in Detroit.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Michigan salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Detroit sits at 60 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $65,000 in Detroit, a difference of $555,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $1,000 in Detroit.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boston scores 108 while Detroit scores 98.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Detroit (99).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $34,762 in Detroit. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Detroit.
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