Detroit MI vs Midland TX — 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%
Midland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$330,788
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Midland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Midland
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Midland
N/A
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Midland
N/A
White
Detroit
11.7%
Midland
N/A
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Midland
N/A
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Midland
N/A
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Midland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 76.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Midland
$63,758
Midland +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Midland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Midland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Midland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Midland
$330,788
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $330,788 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Midland
442
Midland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Midland
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Midland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Midland
36.0%
Midland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Midland
11.3%
Midland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Midland
17.6%
Midland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Midland
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Midland
18.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Midland
12.5%
Midland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.0% | Midland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.3% | Midland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.6% | Midland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 19.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.5% | Midland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Midland
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Midland
14.8 in
Midland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 14.8 in | Midland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Midland
9.2 µg/m³
Midland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Midland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Midland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Midland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Midland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Midland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA