Detroit MI vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 316,241 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 11.7% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $648,603 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 66.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 34.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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