Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
Surprise, AZ
🏆 Surprise leads 16 of 23 categories
Detroit
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Surprise
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$87,756 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
29 ✓ Safer
Population
145,591
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $286k less ($66,700 vs $352,600)
Rent averages $833/mo less ($989 vs $1,822)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 105°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Surprise
Cons
Median income trails Surprise by $49,995/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 4.6%)
Surprise, AZ
Pros
Households earn $49,995 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 10.1 pts lower (4.6%)
94% less violent crime than Detroit
Violent crime is well below the national average (109.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 33°F
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $352,600
Higher rents — median is $1,822/mo
Longer commutes — 30.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 105°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Detroit
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 101.2 (100 = US avg)
Detroit
Median Home Value
$286k less
$66,700 vs $352,600
Surprise
Median Income
$49,995
$87,756 vs $37,761/yr
Surprise
Violent Crime
94% lower
109.1 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Surprise
Unemployment
10.1 pp lower
4.6% vs 14.7% unemployment
Surprise
Summer Heat
20.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.6°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 101.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $352,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 ✓ Lower | $1,822⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $87,756 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 14.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 29 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | Dysart Unified District (4243) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 104.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" | 9.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 145,591 |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 78.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% | 22.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Surprise's 101.2 (US average = 100).
Detroit is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Surprise leads 16 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 7 and Surprise wins 16. 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 Detroit to Surprise or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $352,600 median home), income ($37,761 vs $87,756), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and Surprise, AZ are about 1,697 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.