Living in Detroit, MI

"Dangerous" is too broad a label for any city, but Detroit does sit above national averages on crime. The violent crime index is 126 and property crime hits 89 — both past the 100-point U.S. baseline. Plenty of residents live comfortably and safely, but they've usually chosen their neighborhoods carefully. If you're considering a move, visit first, drive around at night, and look up crime stats block by block. Data: FBI Uniform Crime Report.

Housing takes a real bite out of paychecks in Detroit. At $1,034/month median rent and $39,575/year median household income, the rent-to-income ratio is 31.4%. That's past the 30% threshold that most experts flag as the upper limit of comfortable spending on housing. Dual incomes help. So does looking at neighborhoods outside the trendy core. But if you're moving from a cheaper market, prepare for sticker shock. Census ACS 2023.

The average commute in Detroit runs 23 minutes, which is moderate. 66.3% of commuters drive solo, contributing to peak-hour congestion. 6.0% use transit, and 10.1% work from home. Rush hour on major corridors will add 10-15 minutes on top of the average, so plan your route before you pick a neighborhood.

Not particularly. The climate risk score is 24/100, which puts Detroit in the low-risk tier. Flood, Tornado, and Winter Storm are the most relevant hazards, but none of them are frequent concerns. Standard insurance should have you covered. It's one less thing to worry about if you're comparing this city to higher-risk metros along the coast or in tornado alley. Data from FEMA disaster declarations and NOAA.

The numbers suggest some caution. Detroit's graduation rate is 68.0% with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio — both below where most parents would feel comfortable. That said, there are standout public schools, active magnet programs, and charter options that families swear by. If education is a priority, you'll want to target specific schools and be willing to live in their attendance zones. Don't write off the whole city based on averages.

Somewhat. Expect to pay around $258/month for electricity, gas, water, and sewer — that's about $28 more than the national average of $230. Extreme temperatures (hot summers or cold winters), older housing stock, or higher local energy rates can all push bills up. Budget for seasonal peaks, and look into energy-efficient appliances if you're buying.

Good, overall. The median AQI sits at 50, which falls within the EPA's "Good" category, and Detroit logs 230 clean-air days annually. PM2.5 is the main pollutant. Occasional spikes happen — wildfire smoke, temperature inversions, or high-ozone days — but they're the exception, not the rule. Check AirNow.gov during allergy season or summer heat waves.

Roughly in the middle of the pack. Detroit's combined effective rate is about 11.8%, covering income, property, and sales taxes. The sales tax is 6.0%. You won't be shocked by your first tax bill, but you won't be celebrating either. Cross-state movers should compare their current and future take-home pay before making assumptions.

The data gives reason for caution. Detroit's water system scores just 49/100, with 1 health-based violation and a "high" lead risk rating. That doesn't necessarily mean it's dangerous to drink right now — utilities must meet EPA minimums — but the track record suggests a good water filter isn't optional here. Check the EWG Tap Water Database for specific contaminants and make your own call.

Everything on this page is built from public government sources: rent and income figures from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2023); commute and transportation data from Census ACS tables B08303 and B08006; crime rates from the FBI Uniform Crime Report; climate risk assessments using FEMA disaster declarations and NOAA storm records; air quality measurements from the EPA's Air Quality System database; water quality compliance data from EPA records and the EWG Tap Water Database; school data from the National Center for Education Statistics; utility cost estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. We refresh each dataset monthly through an automated pipeline and cross-check for anomalies. No surveys, no user-submitted guesses — just official federal data presented in a way that's actually useful for people researching a move.