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Chicago vs Detroit: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 100.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $69,210 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $52,080 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $69,004 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $53,302 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $269,080 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $75,123 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 4,367,620 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to Detroit
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Detroit, multiply your salary by 0.968.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Detroit |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $48,409 in Detroit |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $72,613 in Detroit |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $96,817 in Detroit |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $145,226 in Detroit |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $193,635 in Detroit |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Detroit
| Job | Chicago | Detroit | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,020 | $56,600 | $44,423 / $56,432 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $39,030 | $38,004 / $38,914 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $34,830 | $37,154 / $34,727 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $95,460 | $94,532 / $95,176 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $30,860 | $33,486 / $30,768 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $32,050 | $34,519 / $31,955 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $133,060 | $138,752 / $132,665 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $39,120 | $39,288 / $39,004 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $47,000 | $47,898 / $46,860 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $43,010 | $41,643 / $42,882 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $46,370 | $48,072 / $46,232 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $45,080 | $34,413 / $44,946 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $37,780 | $39,963 / $37,668 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $58,070 | $62,908 / $57,897 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $128,200 | $136,725 / $127,819 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Detroit: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Detroit?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 100.3 in Detroit, MI (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Detroit to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $96,817, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Detroit?
Chicago, IL: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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