Head to head
Detroit, MI vs Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $12/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $3,500 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For a household of four, Detroit is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and that spread is far steeper in some markets than others.
| Metric | Detroit59 | Raleigh75 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $4,049 | $4,037 |
| Est. monthly cost (household of 4) | $7,360 | $7,682 |
| Salary for comfort | $78,000/yr | $74,500/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,411 | $1,750 |
| Median home value | $76,800 | $377,800 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $82,424 |
| Unemployment | 10.7% | 3.1% |
| Housing score | 62 | 58 |
| Jobs score | 37 | 84 |
| Safety score | 18 | 59 |
| Climate score | 87 | 100 |
| Amenities score | 82 | 62 |
| Population | 636.6K | 470.8K |
| Summer high / winter low | 83° / 20° | 90° / 30° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Detroit, MI
Raleigh, NC