CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Garland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Detroit is slightly cheaper than Garland — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $82,200 in Garland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+24.5%
Detroit
94.7
Garland
117.9
🛒 Groceries+4.0%
Detroit
98.8
Garland
102.8
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Detroit
107.7
Garland
104.7
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Detroit
97.5
Garland
94.7
Utilities15.2%
Detroit
107
Garland
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Garland, TX
$82,200
$2,200 more needed in Garland

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 1.0279. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

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

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Garland has 24.5% higher housing costs compared to Detroit.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

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

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.