Anaheim CA 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)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

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
Anaheim
344,553
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Detroit
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Detroit
17.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Detroit
1590
Detroit +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Detroit
21.8%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Detroit
31.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Detroit
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +

Which City is Right for You?

Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Detroit