Detroit MI vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 255,036 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.7% | Irving + |
| Black | 76.8% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $344,888 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 38.3% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | 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
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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