Detroit MI vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 220,482 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 11.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 76.8% | 10.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $496,966 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 39.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 31.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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