Detroit MI vs Provo 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 114,303 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 11.7% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Provo
$26,755
Provo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $26,755 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $486,127 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 39.9% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Provo
21.5%
Provo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 21.5% | Provo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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