Detroit MI vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Detroit
11.7%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 132,893 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 76.8% | 30.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 25.0% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $330,564 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 28.4% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 47.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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