Detroit MI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 268,461 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 3.4% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 76.8% | 28.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Toledo
$47,532
Toledo +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Toledo
$27,407
Toledo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $47,532 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $27,407 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Toledo
$130,101
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $130,101 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1866 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Toledo
20.6%
Toledo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Toledo
19.9%
Toledo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.6% | Toledo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 19.9% | Toledo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 33.4 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Toledo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Toledo leads in median household income at $47,532, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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