Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
West Jordan, UT
🏆 West Jordan leads 15 of 23 categories
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
West Jordan
Utah
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.5
Median Household Income
$99,002 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
116,383
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $345k less ($66,700 vs $412,100)
Rent averages $500/mo less ($989 vs $1,489)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails West Jordan by $61,241/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 4.2%)
West Jordan, UT
Pros
Households earn $61,241 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 10.5 pts lower (4.2%)
83% less violent crime than Detroit
More college-educated — 27.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $412,100
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Detroit
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 98.5 (100 = US avg)
Detroit
Median Home Value
$345k less
$66,700 vs $412,100
West Jordan
Median Income
$61,241
$99,002 vs $37,761/yr
West Jordan
Violent Crime
83% lower
294.2 vs 1781.3 per 100k
West Jordan
Unemployment
10.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 14.7% unemployment
West Jordan
Summer Heat
9.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | West Jordan, UT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 98.5 |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $412,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $99,002 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 24.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 15.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | Jordan District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" | 20.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" ✓ Less | 55.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 116,383 |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 77.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | 28.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.4% ✓ More | 8.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs West Jordan's 98.5 (US average = 100).
Detroit is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Jordan leads 15 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 8 and West Jordan wins 15. 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 West Jordan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $412,100 median home), income ($37,761 vs $99,002), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and West Jordan, UT are about 1,493 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.