Detroit MI vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 11.7% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 30.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $286,396 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 70.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 50.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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