Detroit MI
Michigan · Pop. 638,530
Detroit, MI: median household income of $39,938, median rent of $1,074/mo, 14.0% unemployment. Our verdict: Needs Work.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$39,938
per year
Median Rent
$1,074
per month
Median Home
$84k
home value
Unemployment
14.0%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
32.7%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
25 min
one way
City Reality Check honest
"Detroit, MI Reality Check"
In Detroit, the rent-to-income burden runs around 32% — a stretch by national standards. Median income sits at $39,938 and median rent is $1,074/month. 54% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $83,900 — that's 2.1× the median income. Only 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree. The economy runs on trades, logistics, and service work — and the wages reflect that. Employment picture: 14.00% unemployment — a challenging job market. Poverty rate: 32.7% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 25 minutes — acceptable. Detroit was founded in 1701 — that's 325 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 142.9 sq miles at 4,469 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 600 ft — modest elevation. Known as: "Motor City | The 313 | The D". Detroit has 10 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 48/100 — Needs Work.