Detroit MI vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 627,210 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 11.7% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 23.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $264,957 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 43.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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