Washington DC vs Westland MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Westland
9.2%
White
Washington
39.1%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 84,155 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.2 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 9.2% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 43.3% | 22.6% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.8% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 5.0% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $62,216 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $33,816 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $58,052 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 21.7% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Washington +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 34.7% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 12.3% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 20.0% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.3% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.6% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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