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Detroit vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.3 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,210 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $52,080 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $69,004 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $53,302 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $269,080 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $75,123 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 3.6 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 4,367,620 | 6,241,882 |
*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 Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Detroit to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 1.022.
| Salary in Detroit | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Detroit | $51,125 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Detroit | $76,687 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Detroit | $102,249 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Detroit | $153,374 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Detroit | $204,499 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Detroit and Philadelphia
| Job | Detroit | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,830 | $32,250 | $34,727 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $95,460 | $101,400 | $95,176 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,860 | $31,880 | $30,768 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,060 | $145,650 | $132,665 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,030 | $36,970 | $38,914 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $32,050 | $32,970 | $31,955 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $43,930 | $42,882 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,120 | $39,140 | $39,004 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,000 | $48,560 | $46,860 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,080 | $41,390 | $44,946 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,370 | $49,100 | $46,232 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,780 | $39,610 | $37,668 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $49,740 | $50,280 | $49,592 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $62,060 | $57,897 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $41,980 | $45,820 | $41,855 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Detroit vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Detroit more expensive than Philadelphia?
No. BEA prices are 100.3 in Detroit, MI and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Detroit?
About $102,249, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Detroit or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, PA: 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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