Detroit MI vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 268,959 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 11.7% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 76.8% | 3.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $570,934 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.4% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2417 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.0°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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