Detroit MI vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 192,696 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 11.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 76.8% | 3.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $510,577 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 41.6 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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