Detroit, MI and Arlington, VA are two different cities with distinct characteristics. While Detroit is known for its automotive industry with a rich history in music and sports, Arlington is an economic hub close to Washington D.C. and has a rich political history. Here, we'll compare these cities across various parameters including crime and safety, weather, cost of living, and more to help those considering relocation or a visit make an informed decision.
Distance between
Detroit, MI and
Arlington, VA : 396.7 miles
Detroit's population is larger by 172%. Its population has decreased by 318,806 people (33.5%) since 2000. The population of Arlington has grown by 43,512 people (23.0%) during that time.
According to recent crime rates, Detroit has a higher crime rate compared to Arlington. Detroit is working on improving safety measures, but it still ranks above average in crimes per capita. Meanwhile, Arlington is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the USA. Tourists and locals alike can feel safe walking around, even at night.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Arlington is considerably higher than Detroit. Housing is the biggest factor in the cost differences. However, Arlington residents also have a higher median household income, which can offset some of these costs.
Income Tax
Michigan's income tax rate is flat while Virginia has a progressive tax system. Depending on income, individuals might pay more or less tax in Detroit compared to Arlington.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Detroit are higher than in Arlington, which can attribute to a larger overall cost of owning property in Detroit despite its lower house prices.
Sales Tax
Michigan has a lower state sales tax rate than Virginia, which could make purchases slightly less expensive in Detroit. However, both cities may have additional local sales taxes that can affect overall costs.
Income
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$125,651
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$80,996
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
171.8
If you make $50,000 in Detroit, you will have to make $91,286 in Arlington to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit is on the Detroit River, near the Great Lakes, and has a generally flat topography. Arlington is located on the Potomac River across from Washington D.C., characterized by rolling hills and lush greenery.
Both Detroit and Arlington offer a variety of public and private schools. However, schools in Arlington have been consistently rated higher than those in Detroit. Arlington is also home to a number of major universities, making it an education hub.
Detroit's economy is notably centered around the automotive industry. However, it has been diversifying into other sectors like technology and healthcare. Arlington boasts a robust economy with a strong job market in the federal and defense sectors.
Biggest Employers
In Detroit, General Motors and Ford Motor Company are among the biggest employers. In Arlington, the Department of Defense and various federal agencies are major employers.
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Arlington (Arlington County), 69.3% voted for Democrats and 29.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
2020
68.6%
80.6%
30.4%
17.1%
1.0%
2.3%
2016
66.6%
75.8%
29.4%
16.6%
4.0%
7.5%
2012
73.1%
69.3%
26.2%
29.4%
0.6%
1.3%
2008
74.4%
71.8%
24.7%
27.2%
0.9%
1.0%
2004
69.7%
67.6%
29.9%
31.3%
0.4%
1.1%
2000
69.1%
60.4%
29.1%
34.3%
1.8%
5.3%
1996
69.0%
60.5%
24.0%
34.6%
7.0%
4.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
14.6%
11.2%
6.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
1.7%
2.9%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.5%
2.4%
2.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
0.3%
3.9%
0.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
0.6%
2.8%
2.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
2.0%
2.5%
8.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.1%
1.4%
1.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
1.3%
3.2%
16.8%
Weather
Detroit has a continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Arlington, on the other hand, has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Tourists might find the weather more agreeable in Arlington if they prefer milder winters.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Temperature - Average
50°F
56.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
68.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
81%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
43.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
32.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
15.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
61.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
21%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
66%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
45%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
9.7 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in Arlington, Virginia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
Detroit
Arlington
2018
90
88
0.44
0.30
12.9
9.1
25.8
26.2
N/A
N/A
16.4
N/A
10.1
8.4
1.1
0.7
2017
87
84
0.56
0.25
12.7
9.5
20.9
27.7
N/A
N/A
16.5
N/A
10.1
9.0
1.3
0.7
2016
86
98
0.47
0.25
13.2
10.6
22.0
27.5
N/A
0.002
17.2
N/A
10.9
8.7
0.8
0.8
2015
95
91
0.49
0.34
14.8
10.9
26.5
26.7
N/A
0.002
17.0
N/A
11.9
9.5
1.2
1.1
2014
95
85
0.48
0.27
14.2
10.9
24.2
26.2
N/A
0.002
17.1
N/A
12.0
9.3
1.7
1.0
2013
80
90
0.53
0.33
14.4
10.9
24.5
26.6
N/A
0.002
17.3
N/A
11.0
10.1
1.3
0.8
2012
99
104
0.49
0.33
14.6
11.7
25.7
27.9
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
6.6
10.9
1.7
1.0
2011
94
105
0.32
0.18
12.9
12.3
24.3
28.4
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
6.5
11.0
1.6
1.5
2010
96
114
0.28
0.23
11.8
12.9
24.7
29.8
0.006
0.003
N/A
N/A
12.1
9.7
1.6
2.5
2009
68
90
0.27
0.24
12.7
12.7
23.4
24.7
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.1
1.9
2.7
2008
67
103
0.27
0.23
12.8
13.3
N/A
25.8
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
2.0
4.3
2007
81
113
0.29
0.28
13.7
15.6
25.8
27.7
0.017
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.4
N/A
4.5
2006
63
114
0.31
0.49
14.0
17.7
19.8
25.9
0.022
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
3.2
4.3
2005
83
105
0.36
0.30
17.4
21.0
22.6
23.6
0.019
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
4.0
5.7
2004
70
114
0.43
0.22
15.0
21.6
N/A
23.5
0.014
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
3.7
5.9
2003
86
108
0.40
0.36
18.5
26.0
N/A
21.7
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
4.8
6.1
2002
88
131
0.36
0.48
18.3
21.8
N/A
25.9
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
6.0
2001
83
111
0.36
0.43
19.0
22.1
N/A
24.1
0.020
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
7.2
2000
71
110
0.35
0.50
18.2
22.7
N/A
20.2
0.027
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
10.1
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
110%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
43.5%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
14%
Transportation
Detroit has a public transportation system, but it is not as extensive or reliable as Arlington's. Arlington residents and visitors can conveniently commute using the Washington Metro and extensive bus networks.
Transport
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
93
103
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
5
Means of transportation to work
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Bicycle
0.5%
0.8%
Bus
4%
3.6%
Carpooled
7.5%
6.5%
Car alone
83.4%
71.3%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Railroad
0%
0.4%
Streetcar
0.1%
7.8%
Subway
0.1%
1.1%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.4%
Walked
2.7%
6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Average
30.6 min
34.8 min
Other means
26 min
25.7 min
Public transportation
47.7 min
36.7 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
87.1%
92.8%
In 2 person carpool
10.5%
6.3%
In 3 person carpool
1%
0.8%
In 4 person carpool
1%
0.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Detroit is considerably more affordable than in Arlington. However, Detroit’s real estate market has been rebounding in recent years. Arlington's real estate market is competitive, driven by its proximity to Washington D.C.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have a variety of neighborhoods, from bustling downtown areas to quiet residential suburbs. Detroit is known for areas like Midtown and Greektown while Arlington features neighborhoods like Crystal City and Rosslyn.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Houses
322,906
119,446
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.1
Median year apartment built
1953
1983
Median year house/condo built
1946
1959
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.7 years
12.7 years
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
108,396 (90.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
47,577 (43.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
60,819 (56.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$3,620
Median monthly housing costs
$755
$2,164
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$891,291
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$779,400
Median numbers of rooms
5.7
4.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
3.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.7
Median house price - detached houses
$96,752
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$72,631
$648,538
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$183,952
$442,578
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$242,851
$566,559
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$128,652
$703,291
Median house price - All housing units
$101,554
$877,770
Median house age
74
47
Renting percentage
48.9%
56.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
4,617.2
House value disparities
48.4%
24.9%
Household income disparities
49.3%
37.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$61,259
$201,635
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$38,901
$133,857
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
596 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
3,235 (8.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
35,674 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
101 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
4,221 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
4
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
17.1%
0.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
13.6%
0.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Detroit
Arlington
One, detached
66.0%
25.1%
One, attached
6.1%
9.6%
Two
6.5%
0.8%
3 or 4
2.7%
3.5%
5 to 9
2.2%
5.2%
10 to 19
2.7%
5.0%
20 to 49
3.9%
4.6%
50 or more
9.4%
46.1%
Mobile homes
0.5%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,725
6,119
State government workers
8,763
1,820
Unpaid family workers
441
32
Industries and Occupations
The automotive industry dominates in Detroit, providing a significant number of jobs. In Arlington, the primary industries include federal government, technology, and defense contracting.
Detroit offers multiple healthcare facilities including the large Detroit Medical Center. Arlington also offers high-quality healthcare with several major hospitals located nearby, including the Virginia Hospital Center.
Detroit is going through major infrastructure revitalization, with new developments cropping up across the city. Arlington, while smaller, benefits from being close to Washington D.C., which has resulted in well-built infrastructure, especially in public services.
Infrastructure
Type
Detroit
Arlington
Hospitals
41
6
TV stations
16
25
Bank branches located here
98
82
Bank institutions located here
12
25
Main business address for public companies
11
17
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Detroit
Arlington
1999
2,901
226
2000
4,079
196
2001
3,815
164
2002
3,247
146
2003
5,511
288
2004
9,068
461
2005
13,958
589
2006
16,654
563
2007
10,742
412
2008
2,823
272
2009
484
173
Culture and Food
Detroit is famous for its music, especially Motown, and its unique Detroit-style pizza. Arlington, situated in the shadow of D.C., boasts a range of cultural institutions and a diverse international food scene.
Sports Teams
In terms of sports, Detroit is home to teams in all four major league sports: Lions (NFL), Pistons (NBA), Red Wings (NHL), and Tigers (MLB). Arlington does not have home teams, but D.C.'s teams are nearby.
Detroit, MI
Arlington, VA
Detroit, MI and 
Arlington, VA : 396.7 miles
