Detroit MI vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 86,973 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 11.7% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $509,396 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA