Detroit MI vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 138,723 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 11.7% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $671,948 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.2 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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