Detroit vs Las Vegas: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Detroit, MI and Las Vegas, NV, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricDetroit, MILas Vegas, NV
Population636,787644,835
Median household income$37,761$66,356
Median home value$66,700$365,300
Median rent (/mo)$989$1,356

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Detroit, MI and Las Vegas, NV comes down to what you value most. Detroit has the lower median home value, and Detroit has the lower median rent.

Las Vegas has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Las Vegas?
By median home value, Detroit is the cheaper of the two ($66,700 vs $365,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Detroit or Las Vegas?
Median household income is $37,761 in Detroit versus $66,356 in Las Vegas, per the US Census Bureau.

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