Detroit MI vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 112,818 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 11.7% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $472,119 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Gresham
20.4%
Gresham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.4% | Gresham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.8 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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