CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Panama City is slightly cheaper than Detroit — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $77,600 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.8%
Detroit
94.7
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Detroit
98.8
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Detroit
107.7
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Detroit
97.5
Panama City
93.9
Utilities17.7%
Detroit
107
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9701. 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×

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Panama City has 1.8% higher housing costs compared to Detroit.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

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

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

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)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.