Detroit MI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 75,721 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 11.7% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 6.8% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $765,686 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 45.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 40.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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