Detroit MI vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Sunnyvale
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Sunnyvale +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 153,455 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 11.7% | 30.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $2,144,024 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 43.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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