Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
636,644
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
5.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
76.8%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 636,644 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 76.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Detroit
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $39,575 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $24,029 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 31.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 17.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Detroit
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Detroit
1590
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 45.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 19.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 11.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 21.8% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 50.3°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 31.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Detroit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA