Detroit MI vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 543,348 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 11.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $324,946 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 69.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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