Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Detroit, MI
🏆 Denton leads 15 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,921 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
54 ✓ Safer
Population
142,262
Detroit
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denton, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 9.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Households earn $34,160 more per year on average
89% less violent crime than Detroit
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 33°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Detroit
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $229k less ($66,700 vs $296,100)
Rent averages $275/mo less ($989 vs $1,264)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Denton
Cons
Median income trails Denton by $34,160/yr
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Median Income
$34,160
$71,921 vs $37,761/yr
Denton
Violent Crime
89% lower
204.2 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Denton
Unemployment
9.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 14.7% unemployment
Denton
Summer Heat
11.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 84.1°F
Detroit
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Detroit
Median Home Value
$229k less
$66,700 vs $296,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 | $66,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 | $989 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 ✓ Higher | $37,761 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 14.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 ✓ Safer | 363⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 469⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 16.9% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | Detroit Public Schools Community District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F ✓ Warmer | 33.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" | 34.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 30.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 | 636,787 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% ✓ Higher | 48.8% |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Detroit's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Detroit is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Denton leads 15 of 23 categories. Denton wins 15 and Detroit wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Denton to Detroit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $66,700 median home), income ($71,921 vs $37,761), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Detroit, MI are about 992 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.