Detroit vs St. Louis
Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Detroit feels like approximately $62,557 in St. Louis.
Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFFYour $60-80k in Detroit feels like $62,557 in St. Louis. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 11%.
Detroit
St. Louis
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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?
At $60-80k in Detroit, your picture shifts from spacious toward spacious.
No city is objectively better. Detroit and St. Louis each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.
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Detroit vs St. Louis — FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or St. Louis?
HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,122/mo in Detroit and $995/mo in St. Louis. St. Louis has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.
How much do I need to earn in St. Louis to match Detroit?
At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Detroit feels like approximately $62,557 in St. Louis — a reduction of about 11% in purchasing power.
What is the state tax difference between Detroit and St. Louis?
Detroit is in MI (MI levies income tax) and St. Louis is in MO (MO levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.
Which city has more breathing room?
Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.