Detroit MI vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Richmond
21.4%
Richmond +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 115,396 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 11.7% | 21.4% | Richmond + |
| Black | 76.8% | 17.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $608,357 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 58.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 37.7 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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