Cost of Living in Detroit: Updated Prices and Other Cities Comparison

Detroit is the most populous city in Michigan. It is the largest city in the United States and borders Canada. Ascertaining the cost of living in Detroit is essential as it has its own set of expenses and the monthly average cost of living in Detroit is around USD 1,195 for a person.

Apart from providing excellent education facilities, it offers affordable living expenses and a safe and clean environment. In this guide, we’ll discuss different aspects of the cost of living in Detroit, such as housing, transportation, health care, and overall affordability. This will help you make an informed decision about relocating to the great city of Detroit. Without any further delay, let’s begin our discussion.

Cost of Living in Detroit

Understanding the living expenses in Detroit is crucial for students aiming to balance affordability with quality of life there. On average, the cost of living in Detroit for a single person is around USD 1,195 monthly. Whereas, a one-room rental apartment will cost you around USD 1000 to USD 2000.

The cost of living in Detroit can change based on personal preferences and lifestyle choices. From housing costs to daily essentials like groceries, here are some of the categories that contribute to the expenses of living in Detroit:

Costs of Rent in Detroit

The average cost of rent in Detroit depends on several factors, such as the location of the apartment, the size of the apartment, and the lifestyle a student follows. However, a one-bedroom apartment in Detroit costs around 1,300 USD per month, while a three-bedroom apartment can cost up to 3,300 USD. You may get an idea of how much it costs to rent a room both inside and outside of the city centre by looking at the following table:

Apartment Location	Approx Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 1,414
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 1,026
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 3,333
Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 1,658

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense

Cost of a Utility in Detroit

Utility costs in Detroit are associated with electricity, water, heating, and internet services and the basic cost of utilities here is approximately USD 246 per month. We’ve included the cost of utilities in the cost of living in Detroit. In the table below, utility costs in Detroit are provided for your convenience:

Utility Type	Approx Monthly Cost
Basic Utility cost for an apartment (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	USD 246
Monthly Mobile Phone Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 54
Internet Plan (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	USD 59

Cost of Grocery in Detroit

Managing grocery expenses is essential for expat students looking to maintain a balanced budget in Detroit. Understanding the average cost of essential grocery items can help in effective financial planning. 

Generally, the cost of groceries comes under the overall cost of living in Detroit. The average cost of groceries in Detroit includes the cost of bread, milk, water, vegetables, fruits, and other edible items. The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Detroit:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	USD 0.92
Eggs (regular) (12)	USD 3.18
Apples (1kg)	USD 4.17
Banana (1kg)	USD 1.36
Oranges (1kg)	USD 5
Tomato (1kg)	USD 4.59
Potato (1kg)	USD 3.71
Onion (1kg)	USD 2.69
Lettuce (1 head)	USD 2.62
Rice (white), (1kg)	USD 5.69
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	USD 2.97
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	USD 2.50
meat, egg, drinks and Other items	USD 73

Restaurant Costs in Detroit 

Restaurants in Detroit offer a variety of culinary options at affordable prices. The average cost of a one-time meal at an inexpensive restaurant is about USD 15, which may not affect the cost of living in Detroit that much if you go to restaurants twice a week. But beyond this, it may have an impact on the budget.

In the table below, we’ve shown the average restaurant cost of a meal you can pay in Detroit:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant	USD 15
Meal for 2 people, three-course, at a mid-range restaurant	USD 70

Transportation Costs in Detroit 

Getting around in Detroit has its costs. The public cost of a one-way ticket in Detroit is approximately USD 2 per km. However, we have included transportation costs in the total cost of living in Detroit. But for your reference, we have outlined the average cost of transportation in the table below:

Mode of Transport	Approx Monthly Cost
Price of a One-way Ticket for Local Transport	USD 2.00
Regular Price of Monthly Pass	USD 66.00
Cost of Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	USD 2.50
Cost of Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	USD 1.40
Cost of Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	USD 48.00
Gasoline (1 litre)	USD 0.91

Also Read: Cost of Living in Colorado : Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison

Cost of Living in Detroit vs Other Cities

Generally, Detroit offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many major metropolitan cities. For your reference, we have given the cost of living in Detroit compared to other cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, London, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Toronto, Canada, Cleveland and Columbus. So that you can understand how affordable it is to live in Detroit for higher studies compared to other countries or cities. Please have a look:

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Detroit
Cost of Living in New York	USD 1,695	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in San Francisco	USD 1,522	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Chicago	USD 1,298	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Atlanta	USD 1,292	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in London	USD 1379	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Denver	USD 1,292	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Dallas	USD 1,235	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Austin	USD 1,137	Higher than Detroit
Cost of Living in Toronto	USD 1120	Lower than Detroit
Cost of Living in Cleveland	USD 1,184	Approximately equal to Detroit
Cost of Living in Columbus	USD 1,175	Lower than Detroit

Average Tuition Fees in Detroit

Managing tuition fees at universities in Detroit, Michigan, is one of the main expenses for a student along with the cost of living in Detroit. Average tuition fees also vary depending on the course taken and level of education.

Finding the average tuition fees at universities in Detroit is a difficult task. That’s why for your reference the average tuition fees at universities in Detroit are given in the table below.

Name of University in Detroit	Approx Tuition Fees
University of Detroit Mercy	USD 31,058
Wayne State University	USD 31,614
Oakland University	USD 23,188
University of Michigan–Dearborn	USD 31,360
Rochester University	USD 26,735
Lawrence Technological University	USD 41,872

Managing the expenses of living in Detroit is all about making smart choices. By understanding the various costs like housing, groceries, transportation, and other essentials, you can enjoy the wonderful culture of Detroit without harming the bank balance.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Newcastle: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Nashville: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Sydney: A Comprehensive Guide on Sydney’s Expense	Cost of Living in Brooklyn: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Calgary: A Comprehensive Guide	The Cost of Living in Portsmouth: A Comprehensive Analysis

FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Detroit. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.