Living in Detroit, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Detroit · Census data 2020–2024
Detroit has 638,530 residents with a median age of 35.2. The median household income is $39,938 (45% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $83,900, the median rent is $1,074/month.
Detroit at a glance
- Population
- 638,530
- Median age
- 35.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $39,938State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $83,900State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,074/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 50.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.1%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Detroit a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 64% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 45% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 14%; a poverty rate of 32.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Detroit
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Detroit the median home value is $83,900, 75% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,074 per month, which is 35.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,238 a month in housing costs.
Detroit median household income
The median household income in Detroit is $39,938 and the income per person is $24,594. 32.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Detroit: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 329,393
- Owner-occupied
- 50.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.7%
- Vacant
- 21.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 2.43
Detroit demographics
- Population
- 638,530
- Median age
- 35.2
- Under 18
- 24.8%
- 65 and older
- 15.1%
- Households
- 257,998
- Foreign-born
- 6.6%
- Veterans
- 4.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Detroit ›
Education in Detroit
18.1% of adults 25 and older in Detroit have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Detroit
- Unemployment rate
- 14%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 12%
- Drive alone
- 65.5%
- Public transit
- 4.9%
- Walk to work
- 2.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.7%
Detroit vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 638,530 | $39,938 | $83,900 | $1,074 |
| Highland Park | 8,628 | $29,309 | $79,200 | $688 |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | $39,293 | $131,000 | $989 |
| Hazel Park | 14,963 | $67,073 | $158,600 | $1,314 |
| Ferndale | 19,190 | $94,640 | $247,700 | $1,311 |
| Pleasant Ridge | 2,602 | $171,125 | $448,700 | $1,720 |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | $71,510 | $212,300 | $1,396 |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | $218,800 | $1,327 |
| River Rouge | 7,008 | $41,053 | $65,100 | $839 |
More for people moving to Detroit
Detroit ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Detroit: FAQ
What is the median household income in Detroit, MI?
The median household income in Detroit is $39,938, 45% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Detroit?
The median home value in Detroit is $83,900, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Detroit?
The median gross rent in Detroit is $1,074 per month, about 35.9% of household income.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 64% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 45% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 14%; a poverty rate of 32.7%.
What is the median age in Detroit?
The median age in Detroit is 35.2 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Detroit?
The average commute to work in Detroit is 25 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Detroit?
The unemployment rate in Detroit is 14% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Detroit?
18.1% of adults in Detroit have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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