Detroit MI vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 11.7% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 76.8% | 11.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $426,069 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2417 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.7 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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