Detroit MI vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 287,339 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 11.7% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 76.8% | 9.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $507,575 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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