Detroit MI vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 426,845 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 11.7% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 76.8% | 18.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $334,719 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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