Detroit MI vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 183,032 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 11.7% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 76.8% | 28.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $510,297 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 75.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 66.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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