Quote Originally Posted by Bigdd View Post
Exactly Bham

Toyota line worker salaries range from $67,000 to $93,000 based on experience.

Average home purchase is 2.6x income,.. so the typical Toyota line worker would end up with a $172,000 - $242,000 home.

So we need to compare what you get for your money and what you have to pay in taxes in those price ranges.

Detroit is out for most part just because of the schools. Also,.. taxes are high, crime is high, insurance is outrageous, grocery stores are few and far between, etc, etc, etc.

So here's an example of a $200k house in Alabama. 19 Min drive from Huntsville.

2,200 sq ft, with taxes about $1,150 a year.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M84230-20074


Here's an example of a $200k house in Royal Oak. Less than HALF the size at just $1,000 sq ft. yet taxes are $3,000 a year. [[6x as much per square foot)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M32117-13297


There are no houses in Northville listed for sale anywhere near $200k


There's only 4 for sale in West Bloomfield.
This one is less than 3/4 the size of the one in AL,.. but taxes will be like $4,700.
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...4_M31595-22085

Schools are poor in Sterling heights,.. but are OK in Warren.

Warren is about as close as you get to AL. 1,800 sq ft house for $200k,.. but taxes are still 5x what they are in AL. per sq. ft at $4,430 a year
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/31933-Claeys-Dr_Warren_MI_48093_M33419-99190


A little off the main topic, but Grosse Pointe schools will beat any public school in all of Alabama and especially Madison, Al. With square footage and quality considered, this is on par with your example. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...0_M36833-92520

The home prices, school argument doesn't ring true. Metro Detroit is fairly good in that area. Much larger factors as you and others have mentioned.