Detroit MI vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 11.7% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 76.8% | 43.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $580,173 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.1% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 24.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.8 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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