Detroit MI vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 229,228 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 11.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 7.8% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $400,636 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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