Detroit MI vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

California · Population: 174,693

  • Median HH Income$109,511
  • Median Home Price$791,317
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+37.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Detroit & Rancho Cucamonga