Detroit MI vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 227,595 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 11.7% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 76.8% | 42.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $374,265 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 43.5% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 58.9°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 43.6 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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