Detroit MI vs Evansville IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 116,441 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 3.9% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.1% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Evansville
22.3%
Evansville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $52,251 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,236 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 22.3% | Evansville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Evansville
$200,657
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $200,657 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Evansville
1719
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Evansville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.0% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.7% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Evansville
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Evansville
46.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 46.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Evansville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Evansville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Evansville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Evansville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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