Detroit, Michigan
Among the top 6% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 15% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade A, better than 86% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 19% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 94% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade F, better than 8% of US places
- top 1% for walkability
- top 3% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 1% for monthly owner costs
Detroit is a major city in Michigan with about 637,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include walkability, natural disaster risk, and airport distance. It rates lower on violent crime and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Detroit is $67k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Detroit is $38k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Detroit is $989 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Detroit has a violent crime rate of 4531/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Detroit is 26 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
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warm
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68%29%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.5 in2.2 in
humid 88%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$38k10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$43kbetter than 82% of US places
Home Value$67k8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$989better than 42% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$122kbetter than 0% of US places
Property Tax Rate2.04%better than 9% of US places
Income Tax6.70%better than 22% of US places
State 4.30% + Local 2.40%
Sales Tax6.00%better than 86% of US places
Estimated total tax burden12.29%better than 27% of US places
Unemployment14.7%better than 7% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)26°F26th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation34.9 in31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall30.8 inbetter than 32% of US places
Sunny Days244 daysbetter than 62% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 70% of US places
Comfortable Days105 daysbetter than 90% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk17.7better than 97% of US places
Air Quality60 AQIbetter than 1% of US places
School Quality86.9better than 80% of US places
Violent Crime4531/100kbetter than 1% of US places
Property Crime4488/100kbetter than 1% of US places
Community
Population636,787100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.022nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3871st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9132nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+396th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)10.1%5th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)77.4%99th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.5%67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.6%77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.4%55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time26 minbetter than 51% of US places
Walkability14.9/20better than 99% of US places
Airport Distance16 mibetter than 91% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access79.4%better than 29% of US places
Amenities Nearby15.56better than 18% of US places
Park & Nature AccessLimitedbetter than 18% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Detroit an affordable place to live?
- Detroit is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $43k, better than 82% of comparable areas. Median rent is $989.
- Is Detroit safe?
- Detroit is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 4531/100k (better than 1%). Property crime is 4488/100k.
- What is the weather like in Detroit?
- Detroit averages 74°F in July and 26°F in January, with 34.9 in of annual precipitation and about 244 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Detroit?
- Public-school quality in Detroit is above average, scoring better than 80% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Detroit?
- The average one-way commute in Detroit is 26 min.