Detroit MI vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 11.7% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 76.8% | 22.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $265,062 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 24.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 48.7 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 29.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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