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Detroit vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing
| Detroit, MI | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.3 | 113.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,210 | $77,270 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $52,080 | $55,850 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $69,004 | $68,040 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $53,302 | $60,080 |
| Typical home value | $269,080 | $968,608 |
| Median household income | $75,123 | $93,525 |
| Home price / household income | 3.6 | 10.4 |
| Metro population | 4,367,620 | 13,012,469 |
*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: Detroit to Los Angeles
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Detroit to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.132.
| Salary in Detroit | Same buying power in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Detroit | $56,614 in Los Angeles |
| $75,000 in Detroit | $84,921 in Los Angeles |
| $100,000 in Detroit | $113,229 in Los Angeles |
| $150,000 in Detroit | $169,843 in Los Angeles |
| $200,000 in Detroit | $226,457 in Los Angeles |
Salaries for common jobs in Detroit and Los Angeles
| Job | Detroit | Los Angeles | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,830 | $35,890 | $34,727 / $31,603 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,860 | $41,080 | $30,768 / $36,173 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,030 | $43,010 | $38,914 / $37,872 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $44,070 | $42,882 / $38,806 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,000 | $50,980 | $46,860 / $44,890 |
| Cashiers | $32,050 | $39,550 | $31,955 / $34,826 |
| Registered Nurses | $95,460 | $140,370 | $95,176 / $123,602 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,060 | $157,110 | $132,665 / $138,342 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,120 | $42,400 | $39,004 / $37,335 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,080 | $42,640 | $44,946 / $37,546 |
| Security Guards | $40,790 | $43,880 | $40,669 / $38,638 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,780 | $43,050 | $37,668 / $37,907 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,310 | $99,740 | $91,039 / $87,826 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,370 | $53,500 | $46,232 / $47,109 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $61,230 | $57,897 / $53,916 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Detroit vs Los Angeles: questions
Is Detroit more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. BEA prices are 100.3 in Detroit, MI and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Detroit?
About $113,229, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Detroit or Los Angeles?
Detroit, MI: 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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