Detroit MI vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 209,529 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 11.7% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 76.8% | 17.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Yonkers
7.4%
Yonkers +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $685,544 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 47.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Yonkers
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 37.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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