Detroit MI vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 218,614 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 11.7% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 20.3% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $447,353 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.7°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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