Detroit MI vs Nashville 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Nashville
N/A
White
Detroit
11.7%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | 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
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | 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 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| 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 +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $436,355 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, 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%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 47.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Nashville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Nashville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Nashville, TN | 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, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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