Detroit MI vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 11.7% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $871,599 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 44.3% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 37.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.8 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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