Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Detroit
636,644
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 636,644 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 5.9% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 11.7% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 8.0% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $39,575 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $24,029 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 14.1% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 31.5% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 17.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 45.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 19.2% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 22.6% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 21.8% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 31.3 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Denver, CO vs New York, NYDenver, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Denver, CODenver, CO vs Houston, TXDenver, CO vs Phoenix, AZDenver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA