Detroit MI vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 169,432 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 3.8% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 5.6% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Springfield
$45,984
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $45,984 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $245,279 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.9% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 56.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.6 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $45,984, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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