CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Salt Lake City, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
UT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Detroit is slightly cheaper than Salt Lake City — 0.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $80,500 in Salt Lake City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+30.2%
Detroit
94.7
Salt Lake City
123.3
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Detroit
98.8
Salt Lake City
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.5%
Detroit
107.7
Salt Lake City
103.9
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Detroit
97.5
Salt Lake City
94
Utilities26.2%
Detroit
107
Salt Lake City
79

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$80,500
$500 more needed in Salt Lake City

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 1.0060. 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×

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

Salt Lake City has 30.2% 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

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

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)

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.