I toured 3 apartments under $2,000 a month in Detroit to see how they compared to apartments in New York City, and I was shocked by how luxurious they were

Currently, I live in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate in an undesirable neighborhood and pay $1,300 per month for my half of the rent. Although I've long dreamed of living on my own in a one-bedroom apartment, that's not feasible in this city where most one-bedrooms cost well over $2,000 per month. In fact, on average, a one-bedroom apartment in New York in 2021 costs $2,927 per month, according to Apartment Guide.

I've visited Philadelphia and Chicago in the past and was shocked to find affordable apartments in those cities. Next, I wanted to see what I could afford in Detroit.

I was shocked to see apartments were significantly cheaper in Detroit than in New York City. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in Detroit in 2021 costs $1,593 per month.

It's important to note, however, that the rents align with the cities' median incomes: In Detroit, the median income is $30,894 compared to $63,998 in New York City.

As part of Detroit's revitalization efforts, most of the buildings in the center of the city have been repurposed in recent years. All of the apartments I visited were in historic buildings.

The Press/321, for example, was the headquarters for The Detroit Free Press newspaper for over 70 years until it moved buildings in 1998. The structure was left empty until 2016, when redevelopers bought it and turned it into the luxury apartment building it is today.

The apartment had high-end finishings. The hardwood floors were beautifully designed, the kitchen had stainless-steel appliances, and the accent wall made the room feel even more elevated.

The bedroom could fit a queen-size bed, and it also had a large closet.

To get a bathroom like this in New York City, I would have to spend well over $1,500 per month.

The only thing communal about my Brooklyn apartment is the shared garbage cans out front.

As a New Yorker who loves pools, I drooled at the sight of this rooftop.

The Scott is an art deco building named after David Scott, a flour pioneer in the region. The building itself was revitalized but maintained its art deco design.

Again, I noticed the high-end finishings in the space, which included a giant island in the kitchen and hardwood floors.

The room had double doors that opened into a large closet.

The blue tile and gold accents really made this bathroom feel luxurious.

The communal area had public kitchens, conference rooms, and couches for all residents to use. The space wrapped around the entire building, offering 360-degree views of the city. To get these views in New York City, I would have to pay closer to $3,000.

In New York City, a fitness center of this size would definitely only be in the luxury apartment buildings where rents climb to $6,000.

The David Whitney is a historic site in Michigan and was built in 1915. By the '60s, it was a popular destination in Detroit, with retail spaces on the bottom floors and doctors' offices on the top.

Today, the building is split between a hotel and residences.

The lobby is an expansive, four-story atrium that lets in a ton of natural light. I imagined myself coming home every day and walking through a lobby like this; I would feel like a Rockefeller.

I was impressed with the side of the living room and kitchen, which included an island.

To find a bedroom this size in New York City would be the equivalent of winning the lottery.

Additionally, since the apartments share a building with a hotel, residents can also pay for housekeeping.

In New York City, luxury apartment buildings are reserved for the extremely wealthy. The upper class enjoys rooftop pools, private gyms, swanky lounges, and expansive views.

In Detroit, on the other hand, these high-end apartments with luxurious amenities are more accessible for people with lower budgets.

This divide opened my eyes to the fact that New York City may no longer be worth the price tag, and I just might leave my Brooklyn apartment behind.