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Detroit vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.3 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,210 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $52,080 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $69,004 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $53,302 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $269,080 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $75,123 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 3.6 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 4,367,620 | 4,021,467 |
*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 Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Detroit to Seattle, multiply your salary by 1.108.
| Salary in Detroit | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Detroit | $55,401 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Detroit | $83,102 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Detroit | $110,803 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Detroit | $166,204 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Detroit | $221,606 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Detroit and Seattle
| Job | Detroit | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $128,200 | $174,920 | $127,819 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,830 | $49,500 | $34,727 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,860 | $42,260 | $30,768 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,030 | $45,020 | $38,914 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $95,460 | $126,390 | $95,176 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,170 | $110,050 | $94,887 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,120 | $47,470 | $39,004 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $32,050 | $44,720 | $31,955 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $49,650 | $42,882 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,060 | $169,740 | $132,665 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,000 | $56,470 | $46,860 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $110,480 | $133,590 | $110,152 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,780 | $49,380 | $37,668 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,080 | $62,940 | $44,946 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,370 | $56,350 | $46,232 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Detroit vs Seattle: questions
Is Detroit more expensive than Seattle?
No. BEA prices are 100.3 in Detroit, MI and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Detroit?
About $110,803, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Detroit or Seattle?
Seattle, WA: 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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