Detroit MI vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 186,419 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 11.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 76.8% | 7.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $468,328 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.6% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 71.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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