Detroit MI vs Fort Worth TX — 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fort Worth
19.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 17.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 11.7% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 76.8% | 19.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fort Worth
$299,655
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $299,655 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fort Worth
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.8% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 37.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 29.0 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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