Detroit MI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 76.8% | 39.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $233,814 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 57.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 48.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 34.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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