Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Detroit and St. Louis have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · Missouri salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Detroit has a housing index of 60 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Detroit costs $65,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $110,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Detroit versus $1,000 in St. Louis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Detroit scores 98 while St. Louis scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Detroit (99) are higher than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Detroit is $34,762 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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