Detroit MI vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Detroit
11.7%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 267 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 11.7% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 76.8% | 0.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 0.0% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Detroit +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $21,360 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 1.8% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $352,129 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
New Braunfels
34.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 34.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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