$100k salary, packing up from Portland
changea dispatch from
detroit
MI
42.33°N
83.05°W
Detroit is Motown, techno's birthplace, auto-industry bones, and a comeback story that's actually happening. Coney dogs come with chili and onions, the riverfront looks across at Canada (yes, Canada is south of Detroit), and the murals in Eastern Market could fill an art book. Cass Corridor, Corktown, Mexicantown: every neighborhood feels like its own city. The architecture downtown is genuinely jaw-dropping.
in our guides
the verdict
under Portland, every month
The gap is real. Detroit costs noticeably less than Portland, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,472/mo
17% cheaper than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
4.25%
$375/mo less in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$6,507/mo
$684 more than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$262k
53% cheaper than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
4.3M
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
160
pleasant days a year, in detroit.
Portland has the edge here, logging 178 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 37 days below 20° here, 2 in Portland.
Things to do run about even with Portland.
47/100
46% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Seven Lakes State Park, 46 mi.
99/100
1% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
135
137% more than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
compare detroit with:
