Detroit MI vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Memphis
62.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 629,063 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 11.7% | 25.0% | Memphis + |
| Black | 76.8% | 62.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $147,306 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Memphis
19.9%
Memphis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 19.9% | Memphis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.9°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 54.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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