Detroit, Michigan
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Detroit.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Detroit?
For relocators asking how much Detroit costs: the housing index sits at 51 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $76,800 and rents near $1,034. Local median income is about $39,575 and unemployment recently ran 7.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 26 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1965.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 51U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $76,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,034U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $39,575U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 7.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1965.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Detroit compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 645,705City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $39,575Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year50% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 51ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year49% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $76,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year75% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,034City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 7.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20263.1 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5522% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1965.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)235% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4302.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)39% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 22°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 29.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 240As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Detroit declined 9.2% from 711,131 in 2010 to 645,705 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Detroit expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Detroit runs 49 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 51 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $76,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,034 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Detroit?
Budget first around $1,034/month rent or $76,800 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $76,800
- Median rent $1,034/month
- Median household income $39,575
What is the job market like in Detroit?
Labor-market context for Detroit: unemployment 7.3% and median income $39,575. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 7.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $39,575
How long is the typical commute in Detroit?
Plan on roughly 26 minutes each way in Detroit. Walk Score estimates around 55 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 55/100
Is Detroit safer than similar U.S. cities?
Detroit's FBI-derived violent rate (~1965.3/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1965.3 per 100k
- Property 4302.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Detroit?
Detroit's climate profile: 81°F summer peaks, 22°F winter mornings, 29.9" annual rainfall, and 240 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 22°F
- 29.9 in rain · 240 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Detroit, Michigan will find roughly 645,705 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $39,575; our housing-derived cost index is about 51 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $76,800 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Lake-effect snow and automotive supply chains still color the local economy. Pack for 81°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 22°F. Commutes average near 26 minutes one-way, with walkability near 55/100. Unemployment near 7.3% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1965.3 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Detroit sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Detroit with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Detroit city, 1600000US2622000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Wayne County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014822 DETROIT CITY AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10