Detroit MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 205,501 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 11.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 76.8% | 12.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $435,532 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.4% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 48.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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