Quick answer
Overall prices in the Detroit, MI metro were 100.3 vs 95.1 in St. Louis, MO in 2024 (US = 100), so Detroit is 5.5% more expensive than St. Louis; housing rents differ by 20% (94.7 vs 79.0). A $75,000 income in Detroit buys about what $71,104 buys in St. Louis, per BEA.
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024
| Price index (US = 100) | Detroit | St. Louis | Detroit vs St. Louis |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.3 | 95.1 | +5.5% |
| Goods | 98.8 | 100.0 | -1.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 94.7 | 79.0 | +19.8% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 69.9 | +53.0% |
| Other services | 102.6 | 98.6 | +4.0% |
| All items, 2008 | 100.6 | 91.0 | +10.5% |
| $50,000 in Detroit equals in St. Louis | $47,403 | ||
| $100,000 in Detroit equals in St. Louis | $94,805 | ||
| $150,000 in Detroit equals in St. Louis | $142,208 |
Related
- Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Detroit, MI (2024)
- Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs San Jose, CA (2024)
- Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs Seattle, WA (2024)
- Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs Tampa, FL (2024)
- Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs Virginia Beach, VA (2024)
- Cost of living: Washington, DC vs Detroit, MI (2024)
- Cost of living in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI vs US average (2024)
- Cost of living in District of Columbia vs US average (2024)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.