CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Detroit, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Champaign is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 8.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $86,600 in Detroit. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+32.3%
Champaign
71.6
Detroit
94.7
🛒 Groceries+5.6%
Champaign
93.6
Detroit
98.8
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Champaign
104.6
Detroit
107.7
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Champaign
94.6
Detroit
97.5
Utilities+18.2%
Champaign
90.5
Detroit
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Champaign to see what you'd need to earn in Detroit to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Detroit, MI
$86,600
$6,600 more needed in Detroit

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0820. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Detroit has 32.3% higher housing costs compared to Champaign.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.