salaryRent is higher than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,520 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 135 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Southfield?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Southfield
| Size | Southfield | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,262 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,286 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,533 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,881 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,579 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Southfield overall?
Everyday prices in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Southfield
Life in Southfield
What jobs pay in Southfield
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,770 | 14.5% |
| Lawyer | $134,980 | 14.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,390 | 14.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,830 | 15.1% |
| Software Developer | $130,760 | 15.3% |
| Operations Manager | $104,010 | 19.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,670 | 19.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,280 | 20.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $92,550 | 21.6% |
| Plumber | $86,370 | 23.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | 23.6% |
| Electrician | $81,990 | 24.3% |
| Accountant | $80,650 | 24.7% |
| Police Officer | $78,450 | 25.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,100 | 25.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $69,300 | 28.8% |
| Carpenter | $65,810 | 30.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,210 | 30.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,170 | 31.6% |
| Firefighter | $62,730 | 31.8% |
| Truck Driver | $59,120 | 33.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,730 | 44.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,330 | 49.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,900 | 50.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,410 | 50.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,490 | 53.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,410 | 53.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,130 | 56.8% |
| Cashier | $30,090 | 66.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Southfield?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $24 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $236,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Southfield, MI?
Renting in Southfield costs a median of about $1,663 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Southfield?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,520 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Southfield cheap or expensive?
Southfield is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $73,517. It ranks 135th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Southfield?
The median homeowner in Southfield pays $3,832 a year in property taxes, about 1.62% of the median home value.
Is Southfield more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Southfield?
The median home value in Southfield is $236,200, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
76,236 people live in Southfield. Numbers are typical (middle) values.