CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Detroit, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Detroit is slightly cheaper than Aurora — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $77,400 in Detroit. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing15.4%
Aurora
112
Detroit
94.7
🛒 Groceries7.9%
Aurora
107.3
Detroit
98.8
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Aurora
105.5
Detroit
107.7
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Aurora
95.5
Detroit
97.5
Utilities+28.0%
Aurora
83.6
Detroit
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Detroit to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Detroit, MI
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Detroit

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9681. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Aurora has 15.4% lower housing costs compared to Detroit.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.