Detroit MI vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 396,488 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 11.7% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 76.8% | 9.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $204,104 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 57.0°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 32.6 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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