Detroit MI vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 102,558 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 11.7% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 76.8% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $174,763 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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