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Denver vs Detroit: prices, pay and housing
| Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 105.8 | 100.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $81,690 | $69,210 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $62,320 | $52,080 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $77,225 | $69,004 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $63,413 | $53,302 |
| Typical home value | $573,221 | $269,080 |
| Median household income | $102,339 | $75,123 |
| Home price / household income | 5.6 | 3.6 |
| Metro population | 2,977,085 | 4,367,620 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Denver to Detroit
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Denver to Detroit, multiply your salary by 0.948.
| Salary in Denver | Same buying power in Detroit |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Denver | $47,408 in Detroit |
| $75,000 in Denver | $71,112 in Detroit |
| $100,000 in Denver | $94,816 in Detroit |
| $150,000 in Denver | $142,224 in Detroit |
| $200,000 in Denver | $189,632 in Detroit |
Salaries for common jobs in Denver and Detroit
| Job | Denver | Detroit | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,340 | $56,600 | $46,643 / $56,432 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,980 | $39,030 | $39,685 / $38,914 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,800 | $34,830 | $38,570 / $34,727 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,920 | $95,460 | $95,404 / $95,176 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $38,240 | $30,860 | $36,150 / $30,768 |
| Cashiers | $39,190 | $32,050 | $37,048 / $31,955 |
| General and Operations Managers | $171,600 | $133,060 | $162,220 / $132,665 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,510 | $39,120 | $42,077 / $39,004 |
| Office Clerks, General | $57,860 | $47,000 | $54,697 / $46,860 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,700 | $43,010 | $45,093 / $42,882 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $52,050 | $46,370 | $49,205 / $46,232 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $51,870 | $45,080 | $49,035 / $44,946 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $42,130 | $37,780 | $39,827 / $37,668 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $66,130 | $58,070 | $62,515 / $57,897 |
| Software Developers | $149,400 | $128,200 | $141,234 / $127,819 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Denver vs Detroit: questions
Is Denver more expensive than Detroit?
Yes. BEA prices are 105.8 in Denver, CO and 100.3 in Detroit, MI (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Detroit to match $100,000 in Denver?
About $94,816, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Denver or Detroit?
Denver, CO: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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