Convert your annual salary to hourly, daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly pay in Detroit, and compare it to the local minimum wage and MIT living wage for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Detroit minimum wage: $13.73/hour | Living wage: $21.00/hour
Median household income in Detroit is about $39,000. The applicable minimum wage is $13.73/hour, and the MIT living wage for a single adult is about $21.00/hour. Use the comparisons below to see where a given salary lands.
| Pay Benchmark (Detroit) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.73 | $28,558 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| Median household income | $18.75 | $39,000 |
| Standard full-time hours | - | 2,080 hours/year |
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and the historic capital of the American auto industry, headquarters to General Motors and Stellantis with a major Ford presence nearby, and is rebuilding around mobility technology, healthcare, finance, and a revitalized downtown and riverfront.
| Local Metric | Detroit (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 630,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Wayne County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.73/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,400/month |
| Median home price | $95,000 |
| Median household income | $39,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
Divide your annual salary by your total work hours per year (40 hours/week times 52 weeks is 2,080 hours). For example, a $39,000 salary in Detroit is about $18.75/hour at full time.
Median household income in Detroit is around $39,000. Because the cost-of-living index is 96 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent is $1,150/month, what counts as comfortable depends heavily on housing costs.
The applicable minimum wage in Detroit is $13.73/hour, which is about $28,558/year at full time. Michigan's minimum wage rose to $13.73/hour on January 1, 2026 under 2025 legislation that phases the rate up further in 2027 and indexes it to inflation afterward. Michigan law does not let cities set their own minimum wage.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Wayne County needs about $21.00/hour, roughly $43,680/year, to cover basic costs without assistance.
At full time, $39,000/year is about $18.75/hour, $3,250/month gross, and $1,500 per biweekly paycheck before taxes.