How does a Data Scientist's salary in Detroit compare to the rest of Michigan?

Detroit's cost of living index is 88 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Data Scientist earning the city-adjusted median of $99,079 earns $41,679 more than the median household income in Detroit ($57,400).

Data Scientist Salary in Detroit, MI — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Detroit's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Data Scientist Salary in Detroit — Key Numbers

$99,079

Median Salary

$72,653

25th Percentile

$132,475

75th Percentile

$167,666

90th Percentile

National median (Data Scientist)$112,590

vs. National median-12.0%

Detroit median household income$57,400

vs. City household income+72.6%

Cost of Living in Detroit

Cost of Living Index

88(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$900/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio10.9%

Annual rent cost$10,800

Median Home Price$215,000

Home Price / Salary2.2×

20% Down Payment$43,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.2 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Detroit

5.3%

Unemployment Rate

4,410,000

Metro Population

26 min

Avg Commute

34.6

Median Age

Detroit has a metro population of 4,410,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 5.3% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Detroit

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Cost of Living — Detroit

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Data Scientist Salary in Michigan

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Detroit

Physician$201,784 Chief Executive Officer$184,800 Dentist$154,449 IT Manager$149,169 Marketing Manager$138,706 Lawyer$128,269

Data Scientist Salary — Other Michigan Cities

Grand Rapids, MI$105,835 Lansing, MI$99,079 Ann Arbor, MI$130,604 Flint, MI$86,694

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Data Scientist make in Detroit, MI?

The estimated median salary for a Data Scientist in Detroit is $99,079 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $112,590 adjusted by Detroit's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $72,653 (25th percentile) to $132,475 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $167,666.

Is Detroit affordable for a Data Scientist?

On a $99,079 annual salary, a Data Scientist in Detroit would spend approximately 10.9% of gross monthly income on median rent ($900/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Detroit relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $215,000 is 2.2× the annual salary.

How does a Data Scientist's salary compare to Detroit's overall income?

Detroit's median household income is $57,400. A Data Scientist earning the city-adjusted median of $99,079 earns 72.6% more than the typical Detroit household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Data Scientist — National Data Scientist in Michigan All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.