Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Detroit, MI

    Is Detroit a good place to live?

    Watch Detroit

    Detroit ranks #29 of 50 Michigan cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (45/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $76,800
    +15.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,034
    per month
    Household income
    $39,575
    median
    Unemployment
    14.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Detroit

    The median home value in Detroit is $76,800 and median rent is $1,034 a month, against a median household income of $39,575. Homes cost about 1.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Detroit crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Michigan the 2025 rate was 431 violent and 1,300 property crimes per 100,000 people — #28 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Detroit, MI

    Detroit has about 636,644 residents, 14.1% unemployment and 11% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Detroit with

    Detroit vs Grand RapidsDetroit vs WarrenDetroit vs Sterling HeightsDetroit vs Ann ArborDetroit vs LansingDetroit vs DearbornDetroit vs LivoniaDetroit vs Troy

    More: Where to move in Michigan · Best counties in Michigan

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report