Detroit MI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 457,066 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 11.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 76.8% | 18.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $427,121 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA