In short
The median value of owner-occupied homes in Detroit is $95,900 (Census ACS 2024; owner estimates, not sale prices). The FHFA House Price Index shows Michigan prices up 3.8% and Detroit–Dearborn–Livonia prices up 4.9% between the second quarters of 2025 and 2026. On that price, Michigan's transfer taxes come to $825.60, paid by the seller: $720 of state tax at $3.75 per $500, $105.60 of county transfer tax in Wayne County. Selling a main home you owned and lived in for 2 of the last 5 years, the first $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly) is excluded from federal income tax (IRS Publication 523).
Calculate for Detroit
In short
The median value of owner-occupied homes in the city of Detroit is $95,900, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, against $254,200 for Michigan. The City of Detroit’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 to buyers with household income below 80% of area median income, according to the city’s Phase III guidelines.
How much homes cost in Detroit
The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) asks owners how much they think their home would sell for. The median of those answers is a useful benchmark, but it is not a sale price: it covers every owner-occupied home, including homes bought long ago. Our page on Michigan home prices explains the method in detail.
| Area | Median value, 2024 (ACS) | Margin of error (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| City of Detroit | $95,900 | ±$7,548 |
| Wayne County | $194,800 | ±$3,464 |
| Detroit–Warren–Dearborn metro area | $271,600 | ±$2,503 |
| Michigan | $254,200 | ±$1,616 |
| United States | $360,600 | ±$618 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024, table B25077. The 2025 estimates are scheduled for October 29, 2026.
The city median is well below the county, metro and state figures. Values vary widely inside the city, so a median describes the typical owner’s estimate, not any given street.
Are Detroit prices rising?
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) tracks repeat sales of the same single-family homes. Its purchase-only, seasonally adjusted index for the Detroit–Dearborn–Livonia metro division, published August 25, 2026, shows:
| Area | 1-year change (Q2 2025 to Q2 2026) | 5-year change (Q2 2021 to Q2 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit–Dearborn–Livonia metro division | +4.9% | +39.7% |
| Michigan | +3.8% | +38.8% |
| United States | +2.1% | +33.4% |
Source: FHFA House Price Index, quarterly purchase-only files. Changes calculated by Payotte from the published index values.
Prices in the Detroit area rose faster than in the state and the nation over both periods.
Costs of buying
On top of the price, buyers and sellers pay closing costs. For the rules, who pays each item and a worked example, see our guides to closing costs in Michigan and transfer tax in Michigan. Property taxes are covered in our Michigan property tax guide.
Help for Detroit buyers
The City of Detroit runs a Down Payment Assistance Program funded with about $9 million in federal community development money. Key points from the city’s Phase III guidelines, read October 13, 2026:
- Amount: up to $25,000 for down payment, prepaids and closing costs, never more than 50% of the purchase price.
- Income: below 80% of area median income, for example $83,850 for a household of four.
- Residency: you have lived in Detroit for the past 12 months, and you have not owned a home for three years.
- Occupancy: the home must be your primary residence for 3 years, or the grant is repaid on a prorated basis.
- Funds: first-come, first-served. A decision typically takes 2 to 3 weeks after a complete application.
The full table of income limits, the steps and a worked example are in our guide to first-time buyer programs in Michigan.
Buying on a land contract
Some Detroit buyers who cannot get a mortgage buy on a land contract: the seller keeps the deed until you have paid in full. The City of Detroit warns that there is usually no bank, title company or agent involved, and that you can lose the home to forfeiture if you miss payments, or to tax foreclosure if property taxes go unpaid for three years. It recommends speaking with a housing counselor before signing, and it lists the Wayne County Register of Deeds (313-224-5850, 400 Monroe St., 9th floor) as the office to record the contract. Our guide to real estate attorneys in Michigan covers when legal help matters.
Michigan guides for Detroit buyers
Frequently asked questions
What is the median home price in Detroit?
The Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the city of Detroit at $95,900 (±$7,548). This is what owners think their home is worth, not the median sale price of recent sales.
Are home prices in Detroit going up?
According to the FHFA purchase-only index, prices in the Detroit–Dearborn–Livonia metro division rose 4.9% between the second quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026. Over five years, they rose 39.7%.
Is there down payment help in Detroit?
Yes. The City of Detroit’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 to eligible households under 80% of area median income. Funds are first-come, first-served, so check availability with the city at (313) 224-6380.
How does Detroit compare with the rest of Michigan?
The city median ($95,900) is $158,300 below the Michigan median ($254,200) and $98,900 below Wayne County ($194,800). The Detroit metro area as a whole is at $271,600.
What should I know before buying on a land contract in Detroit?
The seller keeps the deed until you finish paying, so you carry ownership costs without owning title. The city warns about forfeiture and tax foreclosure risk and recommends speaking with a housing counselor first.
More Michigan guides
- Closing costs in Michigan: what buyers and sellers pay
- Michigan transfer tax: $8.60 per $1,000, paid by the seller
- Michigan property tax: how it works and the 18-mill exemption
- Seller disclosure requirements in Michigan
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Michigan?
- How does foreclosure work in Michigan, and how long does it take?
- Home prices in Michigan and Detroit: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Michigan and Detroit
- How to verify a real estate license in Michigan (5 professions)
Sources
- Table B25077, Median Value (Dollars), ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- 2025 ACS Data Release Schedule (U.S. Census Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- U.S. House Prices Rise 2.1 Percent Year over Year, Up 0.3 Percent Quarter over Quarter (FHFA, August 25, 2026) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- FHFA House Price Index datasets, quarterly purchase-only indexes (state, metro) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Detroit DPA Program: Phase III Guidelines (City of Detroit) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program: How Does It Work? (City of Detroit) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Land Contract Information (City of Detroit) (consulted October 13, 2026)