Detroit MI vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Wilmington
1.6%
Tie
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 71,124 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 11.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 76.8% | 52.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $327,117 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1991 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 49.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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