Detroit MI vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 507,478 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 11.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $435,670 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 71.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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