CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Omaha, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Omaha is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 8.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $73,300 in Omaha. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.8%
Detroit
94.7
Omaha
86.4
🛒 Groceries4.8%
Detroit
98.8
Omaha
94.1
🚗 Transportation9.4%
Detroit
107.7
Omaha
97.6
🏥 Healthcare9.4%
Detroit
97.5
Omaha
88.3
Utilities28.6%
Detroit
107
Omaha
76.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Omaha, NE
$73,300
$6,700 less needed in Omaha

Formula: salary × (91.9 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9163. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

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

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Detroit has 8.8% lower housing costs compared to Omaha.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

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

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.