Detroit MI vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 203,888 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 11.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $580,126 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.3% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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