Allen TX vs Detroit MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 5.9% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 11.7% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 1.6% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 8.0% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $39,575 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $24,029 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 14.1% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 31.5% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 17.6% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 49.7% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 45.6% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 19.2% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 22.6% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.6% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 21.8% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 31.3 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA