Detroit, MI vs Houston, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Detroit
77.3
#253 nationally
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Houston leads in median household income ($57,791 vs $37,761). Detroit leads in cost of living index (82 vs 96). Detroit leads in average commute (25.7 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.3 (#253) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 633,218 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $76,084 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 48.8 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 82 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.0 | D+5.5 |
C+
77.3 Score
Detroit, MI
Major Michigan city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$76,084
Population
633,218
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
51
Midwest
View Detroit, MI →
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →