Detroit MI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Newark
16.5%
Newark +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 307,188 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 11.7% | 16.5% | Newark + |
| Black | 76.8% | 46.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Newark
10.9%
Newark +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 10.9% | Newark + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 17.4% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $482,675 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 24.1% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 23.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.9°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 46.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 35.9 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Newark has a lower unemployment rate at 10.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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