Detroit, MI vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $37,761). Detroit leads in cost of living index (82 vs 181). Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 51).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.3 (#253) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 633,218 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $76,084 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 48.8 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 82 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.0 | D+86.1 |
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 →
D
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →
Try a different matchup
Swap Detroit for: