Detroit MI vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 115,415 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 11.7% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $441,257 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.3% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 44.6 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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